WORK by North Yorkshire’s most famous tea producer to ensure sustainable sourcing has earned the company royal recognition as it is named among the recipients of this year’s Queen’s Awards.

Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate was today honoured among 175 other firms across the UK with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The family business is one of 11 companies to receive the accolade for Sustainable Development in light of the work it has carried out through it’s “Taylors Sourcing Approach”.

The brand, best known for its Bettys Cafe Tea Rooms, of which there are two in York, as well as its Yorkshire Tea and Taylors Coffee, has a global tea and coffee supply chain which works with more than one million farmers and workers in 24 countries.

The Queen’s Award judges said Betty’s “demonstrates an impressive approach to trade and suppliers”, all of which have to achieve a certification which covers core labour standards, respect for workers’ rights, and health and safety.

Keith Writer, supply director, at Bettys, which has been presented with Queen’s Awards in 2001 and 2007, said: “We have worked incredibly hard over the last few years with all our key growers to develop and roll out an innovative new approach to sustainable Sourcing.

“We have a reputation for quality and a deep commitment for doing things properly be they in Yorkshire or globally through our value chain and networks.

“This award is a great honour and achievement that serves to inspire and drive us to do even more in developing a thriving sustainable future for all our tea and coffee growers.”

The last few years has seen Bettys transform the way it works with its suppliers, helping them to become more sustainable. In Kenya the business has worked with suppliers to install rainwater harvesting and filtration systems in 50 schools as well as community centres, bringing fresh water to 27,000 people, it has also supported secondary school children with educational bursaries, and is funding a ten year project to plant 1 million trees with 4,000 tea smallholders, providing them with additional income streams.

Elsewhere in North Yorkshire BioClad, a specialist manufacturer, supplier and installer of hygienic cladding technology is the first business of its kind to scoop a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.

The accolade acknowledges how the Harrogate manufacturer, which was launched in 2008 and employs 20 people, has marked a 2000 per cent growth in exporting since broadening its horizons into international trade in 2011.

Global sales account for 25 per cent of BioClad’s £10 million current turnover - an increase of £1.5 million on last year.

Blazing an export trail in principal markets comprising Australia, Canada, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Mexico, BioClad has recently opened an Australian subsidiary in Perth and is poised to enter European markets.

UK commissions include the biggest contract in the sector, for Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, Birmingham Children’s Hospital Cancer Unit and a raft of projects for changing rooms and catering facilities at leading football clubs such as Leeds United and Liverpool.

Fast food giants Five Guys, Costa Coffee and McDonald’s are among BioClad’s high-profile international clients.

Founder and director, Lindsay McKenzie, said: “This globally-recognised and highly respected seal of approval is a powerful endorsement of our successful strategy in harnessing the wealth of international trade opportunities while successfully delivering wide-ranging domestic commissions.

“An enormous ‘thank you’ to our talented and committed team for being instrumental in making this happen.

“With the global flooring market predicted to be worth $300 billion by 2020, and no other company producing this type of antimicrobial surface, the world is literally our oyster as we embark on the next stage of our journey.”

The Awards are made each year by the Queen on her birthday on the advice of the Prime Minister and her panel of judges.

Business Secretary Greg Clark today named the winners, stating: “The Queen’s Awards for enterprise highlights everything that’s great about UK business today.

“We have some of the best entrepreneurs and innovative minds in the world who are at the heart of small start-ups providing excellent customer service to larger businesses developing global solutions.

“I’m extremely proud to see such a wealth of businesses across Yorkshire & The Humber being recognised today.”

Winners of the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are visited by a Royal representative and are presented with a commemorative trophy as a mark of their achievement. They are also invited to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace in July.