The Lost Gardens of Heligan receive The King’s Awards for Enterprise

The recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise have been announced today [6 May], celebrating the achievements of leading businesses from across the UK and Channel Islands and recognising their vital role in growing our economy to improve lives.

 This year, 197 businesses representing a diverse range of sectors, have been recognised by His Majesty The King as among the best in the country, highlighting the ambition, ingenuity, and success of our diverse business community.

 Of these, 17 awards went to businesses in the South West. Eleven were recognised in the International Trade category, one for Innovation, and five for Sustainable Development.

 By supporting more people into work, developing new innovations and exporting the best Britain has to offer around the world, businesses like these are playing a key role in the Government’s mission to go further and faster for economic growth, to put more money in more working people’s pockets as part of our Plan for Change.

 This year’s recipients from the South West include:

• The Lost Gardens of Heligan, an internationally recognised restoration project and heritage-focused visitor destination based in Cornwall, encompassing historic gardens, estates, and farms. The organisation has been recognised in the Sustainable Development category.
  
  
• Mixergy, which has received the Innovation award for their intelligent hot water tank which interacts between homes and the grid to maximise efficiency and reduce energy bills. The business is based in Oxford.

 Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports said:

 “There are some exceptional businesses from the South West recognised in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise: from the magical Heligan Gardens to Mixergy’s transformative hot water tank. 

 “I wish the winners every success as they continue to grow, innovate and prosper, and commend the invaluable contributions they have already made to communities at home in the South West and abroad, helping to boost the UK economy.” 

 Laura Smit-Chesterfield, Managing Director of The Lost Gardens of Heligan, said:

 “The team at The Lost Gardens of Heligan are delighted, honoured, and proud to receive a King’s Award for Enterprise in the category of Sustainable Development.  

“His Majesty The King has been a tireless champion of sustainability and environmental stewardship for over fifty years. He has led the way with quiet determination and visionary insight, inspiring a national - and indeed global - movement toward a more balanced and respectful relationship with the natural world. We, at Heligan, are intensely proud to stand alongside others in building upon His Majesty’s legacy, and to continue advocating for a nature-friendly future with hope, energy, and purpose.”

Pete Armstrong, CEO and Co-Founder of Mixergy, said:

 “We’re incredibly proud to receive The King’s Award for Enterprise. This prestigious recognition highlights our dedication and passion for innovation, particularly in unlocking flexibility and facilitating the use of lower carbon energy sources. 

“At Mixergy, we are committed to supporting the UK’s transition to net zero and optimising energy use in homes. This award is a testament to the hard work of our brilliant team and the continued support from our partners who share our mission to decarbonise homes.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise and were renamed two years ago to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, has awarded over 8,000 companies since its inception in 1965.

 His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants – The King’s representatives in each county – will be presenting the Awards to businesses locally throughout the year. One representative from each winning business will also be invited to a special Royal reception event.

Background

The full list of recipients across the four categories can be found in the London Gazette from 01:00am on 6 May 2025.

The recipients pass a robust assessment process, judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector, and senior officials in Whitehall. On that basis, each year, The King’s Awards for Enterprise recipients are recommended by the Prime Minister and approved by His Majesty The King.

Applications for The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 open on 6 May 2025. For more information, please click here.

Eligible businesses are free to apply for one or more categories. Awards are valid for five years.

The KAO office will continue their promotion of the Awards for the 2026 round, with a specific focus on increasing applications from under-represented groups, regions, and sectors.