‘Fly The Flag For Our Region’: Past Winner Urges Firms To Apply For King’s Awards To Reap Brilliant Rewards

A leader behind a growing international firm has urged more companies in our region to apply for a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise.

Hartlepool-based Hogg Global Logistics became the first organisation in the North East of England to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade in 2023.

And with the region underrepresented among winners across a range of categories in the King’s Awards, Managing Director Lyndsay Hogg has encouraged more of our brilliant firms and organisations to go for glory.

Hogg Global Logistics is a renowned international freight forwarder and logistics provider which ships manufactured goods all over the globe, and supports with customs paperwork and documentation over sea, road and rail freight.

Lyndsay decided to apply after receiving a note from Hartlepool Council.

“It got my attention and I thought: ‘Wouldn’t a King’s Award be amazing?’

“I had a quick look and checked – we met the criteria. I thought it was really worth a go.

“What have we got to lose?”

As it turned out, Lyndsay and Hogg Global Logistics had everything to gain.

After submitting the application shortly before the deadline, Lyndsay put the company’s name in the hat before a tense wait for news.

Lyndsay added: “They came back and asked a couple of questions for us to clarify here and there.

“It was then I thought we were still in with a chance. Then there was an email which came in to tell us.

“I screamed out of sheer excitement.”

The status provided the company with a huge morale boost.

“It was just a fantastic thing to happen for our company,” she added.

“It’s why we’re still shouting about it today. We’re just a small family business and, initially, I wasn’t sure how successful we’d be because of our size.

“But it really is worth a shot – and it shows if you do meet the criteria, it’s really worth a try.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are for outstanding achievement by UK businesses in the categories of innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity through social mobility.

If you get an award you’ll be invited to a Royal reception, presented with the award at your company by one of The King’s representatives, a Lord-Lieutenant.

You will also be able to fly The King’s Awards flag at your main office and use the emblem on your marketing materials.

Lyndsay explained how the status had opened doors.

She added: “While I was in Buckingham Palace with King Charles, we picked up a fantastic customer from just chatting.

“We’ve got worldwide recognition from this award.

“People trust our brand because we’ve gone through a process which has been looked at by the King’s Awards. It’s something which starts up conversations everywhere we go.”

The King’s Awards are valid for five years and dozens of organisations have reported benefiting from worldwide recognition, increased commercial value, and greater press coverage as well a boost to staff morale.

Lyndsay added: “Amazing things can come out of it.

“You get a lovely certificate awarded with the Royal Warrant and a lovely trophy – as well as a day I’ll remember for the rest of my life in going to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles.

“That was the icing on the cake.

“It can be a tough process, but it’s very worthwhile and it always starts a conversation.”

As well as Hogg Global Logistics, Darlington-headquartered ZIGUP, a leading provider of integrated mobility solutions, was honoured with the 2025 King’s Award for Enterprise in Promoting Opportunity – one of only 10 UK companies to win this category.

Michael Poole, Vice Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, added: “The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards.

“We have seen time and again how winners describe the positive effects of their success including global recognition, and commercial growth. We hope we can help, support and encourage more of our brilliant businesses to win an award.”

Turning to the future, Lyndsay said the firm had gained badge codes at a string of airports – which had unlocked a doubling of the company’s turnover.

The company also supports a wide range of community initiatives including work to tackle period poverty in Hartlepool.

“We’re really pushing forward and I would say confidence in our company has definitely grown due to the King’s Award win,” said Lyndsay.

“We really want to shout about it and encourage others to go for it. Our region is fantastic – we’ve got some brilliant businesses, big and small, which are doing great things and can bring back more awards to the North East.”

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “We’ve got world class businesses here in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool that are competing on a global stage and winning. The King’s Award are a fantastic way to showcase that success.

“Hogg Global Logistics prove you don’t have to be a big firm to land one of the most prestigious business honours in the country – and we want and deserve more of our companies on this list.

“I’d urge more of our ambitious companies to put themselves forward, back what they’ve achieved and fly the flag for our region.”

To apply for the King’s Award for Enterprise your organisation must be based in the UK, have a good compliance record with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), and be a self-contained enterprise under its own management and complete its own accounts

It must also have at least two full-time UK employees or part-time equivalents and demonstrate strong environmental, social and governance practices.

Your organisation can be a business, a non-profit or in the public sector.

Each of the award categories has additional entry criteria.

To sign up to updates on the King’s Awards 2027 and find out more information, go to: The King’s Awards for Enterprise: About the awards – GOV.UK

Companies wanting to find out more can attend a free event at the Riverside Stadium on Thursday, 26 March 1t 11am.

Register here to book your attendance.