Leather UK members Celtic & Co are thrilled to announce that they have been awarded their second Queen's Award for Enterprise in the International Trade category, the highest official UK award for British businesses.
This award is granted on a recommendation by the Prime Minister and approved by Her Majesty The Queen. Fewer than 200 businesses are given this award each year, so to achieve two in three years is a fantastic achievement they are all extremely proud of.
Celtic & Co. was founded in 1990 by husband and wife Nick & Kath Whitworth in Newquay, Cornwall. Starting off as a small two person company in the South West of Britain, Celtic & Co. now employs over 40 people and their sustainably produced and eco-friendly products are sold across the globe. To be recognised twice by the Queen for this effort is the pinnacle of their achievements so far and drives them to stay true to their values as they continue to grow.
"All of us at Celtic & Co are so immensely proud of this achievement and I thank everybody involved in this team effort. To receive a second Queen’s Award has to be one of our most memorable achievements and is a real credit to all of our hard working staff who should all feel justifiably proud. A Queen's award is one of the most prestigious business awards in Great Britain and could only be achieved not just by all of us here at Celtic & Co, but also because of all the contributions from our suppliers and of course all of our customers" – Nick Whitworth
“Currently our business model is to run all overseas operations from our UK based head office here in Cornwall. We utilise the knowledge and experience of our logistics partners to ensure that we are exporting goods in the most efficient and cost effective way for our customers and the business. By operating in this way we are keeping employment opportunity and supplier partnerships in the UK - supporting our local economy.
As we grow our international business we will continue to look at innovative ways to use natural fibres to create long lasting, timeless pieces that help transform us from a throwaway society into one that truly values sustainability. The manufacturing part of the business definitely has its heart in Cornwall and that's where our boots and slippers will always be made.” – Kath Whitworth
