BATH, England – Queen Elizabeth II has bestowed upon British sex-toy retailer Lovehoney the highest official award for U.K. businesses: The Queen’s Award for Enterprise. The honor is given to British companies that excel at international trade, innovation or sustainable development.
Owners Richard Longhurst and Neal Slateford were presented with the coveted chalice and scroll Oct. 26 during a ceremony at the award-winning company’s Locksbrook Road headquarters.
“It is a huge privilege for Lovehoney to be honored by the Queen,” Longhurst said. “The award will help us to reach new markets and create more jobs in Bath and in our offices in Australia and the U.S.
“The Queen is Britain’s greatest trade ambassador, and to have her backing means the world,” he continued. “Long may she reign over us.”
In April, Lovehoney received the Queen’s Award for International Trade for outstanding growth in overseas sales over the past three years. The announcement was made on Her Majesty’s 90th birthday.
The Queen’s Award, described as “the highest accolade for business success,” allows Lovehoney to use the Queen’s Award emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for a period of five years as a symbol of quality.
Perhaps even more phenomenal is the success Lovehoney has found with consumers. Fourteen years after its founding, the company’s revenues top £50 million per annum. Lovehoney employs more than 250 people worldwide.
“We never thought, back in 2002 when we started out, that one day we’d be given the thumbs up from the Queen,” Slateford said. “The crystal chalice we have received will take pride of place in our packed trophy cabinet.
“We’d like to thank our fantastic team for the support they have given us,” he added. “We seriously could not have done it without them.”
