Founder Hannah Dale thanks team for giving creative business its staying power
Wrendale Designs’ continuing climb up the ladder of success has earned the company a King’s Award For Enterprise, the UK’s most prestigious business awards.
And the announcement on Monday, 6 May, of King Charles’ recognition of their achievements in international trade means co-owners Hannah and Jack Dale are looking forward to receiving the award from the Lord Lieutenant of Lincolnshire shortly – to add to the Queen’s Award the company received in 2019.
“We’re all over the moon to have won this award for the second time,” Hannah told PG Buzz. “I think that one of the toughest challenges for a brand like ours is to show you have staying power after an initial success.
“The King’s Award recognises exceptional growth in international markets over the past five years so for me personally it’s a reflection of how hard we have worked to keep innovating and improving, not just in the artwork and the products but in the service we’re delivering.
“Jack and I are so lucky to have an incredible team across the world that works hard to bring our vision to life, as well as fabulous and loyal stockists.
“I’m so proud of the team we have and for the loyal stockists that have supported us over the years, many of them stocking our products since I first launched Wrendale with a handful of greeting cards in 2012.”
Wrendale Designs is one of 252 businesses recognised, with five receiving two apiece, in the second King’s Awards, which were renamed last year as His Majesty wanted to continue the legacy of his late mother Queen Elizabeth II who established the awards in 1965, with 59 given this year for innovation, 161 for international trade, 29 for sustainable development and eight for promoting opportunity through social mobility.
Sambro International, well known in the greeting card and gift industry for its creative play toys in the arts and crafts, stationery, plush, novelty and outdoor sectors, was also one of those honoured in the international trade category, and ceo Paul Blackaby said it was a “milestone achievement”.
Eligible businesses which apply have to pass a robust assessment process, judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector and senior officials in Whitehall, before the successful recipients are recommended by the prime minister.
The official description for the Lincolnshire-based greeting card, gift and homewares company in Monday’s London Gazette announcement called Wrendale: “Leading supplier of beautiful quality design-led giftware featuring characterful illustrations inspired by the natural world.”
Minister for enterprise Kevin Hollinrake commented: “I congratulate the recipients of this year’s King’s Awards For Enterprise, who exemplify the talent, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit of British business.
“I wish them every success and commend the invaluable contributions they make to communities both at home and overseas, helping to grow the UK economy.”
Wrendale products can now be bought in 47 different countries which Hannah said she “still can’t quite believe” and includes one of her “proudest export achievements” that the business now supplies shops in every US state, including Alaska and Hawaii!
“I’d never have guessed where Wrendale would take us when I first started to design a handful of greeting cards 12 years ago,” Hannah added.
“I was recently asked when I got my big break by someone who’s just getting started in the industry. When I thought about it, I realised there never really was a big break, more like a game of snakes and ladders – a series of many small steps, a few lucky boosters and a few slides backwards in a long journey. The most important thing is just to get the dice rolled, get on the board and take the first step.”
