For the second time in two years, character brand Santoro has been honoured with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. The company was first honoured two years ago, with the award regarded as the UK’s most prestigious and highest accolade for international business success.
Santoro Licensing, a division of the London based design house Santoro, was founded in 1995 by Meera and Lucio Santoro, with Meera commenting: “To have received this Award for the second time is an immensely proud moment for us. Under the current circumstances we feel hugely grateful to be able to celebrate the company’s successes, which we have built and grown organically over 35 years. At a time when the UK economy and businesses are facing huge uncertainty, this Award recognises Santoro’s substantial and sustained increase in its international success.”
A continued key factor in this growth is attributed to the global phenomenon of Santoro’s Gorjuss brand, which has been growing for over a decade and continues to reach new levels in international markets. It is currently available at over 38,000 points of sale across 93 countries, with a value of $196m at retail, a significant achievement for an art-based character brand, says the company, which has risen to acclaim without a supporting media programme.
The Licensing division has continued to sign additional new partners throughout 2018, boasting a 186% growth in two years since previously winning the award.
Churchill China, which supplies tableware for the UK and international retail and hospitality sector, was also recognised with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
“Amidst all the gloom and harsh realities of dealing with the pandemic, it is a real joy to announce that Churchill China has been honoured in the International Trade category,” enthused Sara Williams, chief Executive of Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce.
Top: First Class Lounge from Santoro.
