A Cotswolds-based soap manufacturer has been formally presented with one of the UK’s highest honours for business after being recognised for its commitment to sustainability.
Little Soap Company, based in Broadway, received the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development during a presentation ceremony on October 22.
The award was presented by Beatrice Grant, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, after the company was named among just 185 organisations across the UK to receive a King’s Award this year, and one of only 36 recognised in the sustainable development category.
Founded in 2008 by Emma Heathcote-James, the business began around her kitchen table in a Cotswolds cottage. Inspired by her grandmother, she set out to create natural soaps that were kinder to both people’s skin and the environment.
What started as a small venture selling products at local farmers’ markets has since grown into a multi-million-pound business employing 11 people. The company now sells a bar of soap every 30 seconds, with products stocked by major retailers including Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Ocado, Boots and Amazon.
Sustainability has remained central to the company’s growth. The business became a certified B Corp in 2020 and says its plastic-free Eco Warrior range has helped remove millions of plastic bottles from the supply chain.
The King’s Award recognises the company’s commitment to sustainable practices throughout its operation, from product development and packaging to its suppliers and wider business practices. It follows a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation, which the company received in 2022.
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Speaking after the presentation, founder and chief executive Emma Heathcote-James said: “Receiving the King’s Award is a huge honour and having it presented in person makes it a particularly special milestone for the whole team.
“I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come since those early days around my kitchen table. We set out to prove that sustainable soap could be accessible to everyone, without compromising on quality, and this award recognises the commitment to that mission that runs through everything we do.
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, but there’s still so much more we want to do to inspire greener choices and drive positive change.”
The ceremony was attended by members of the company’s team, along with Nigel Huddleston, MP for Droitwich and Evesham.
