Department for Business and Trade (DBT) is on the hunt for British small and medium-sized enterprises that have mastered trading overseas for its ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ Awards; here’s how you can enter
With a track record of outstanding global trade and innovation, the British beauty industry is an exporting superpower. According the the Value of Beauty report, more than 65% of British beauty businesses trade globally – that’s 15% more than the wider economic average of 50%. What’s more, 95% of businesses in the beauty industry are SMEs with the majority having under 9 employees.
So, beauty brands are perfect candidates for the Department for Business and Trade’s awards: ‘Made in the UK, sold to the World’.
In order to apply, brands and businesses must:
- Clearly demonstrate how selling internationally has helped grow and improve their business – including across sales, culture, employment etc – with robust statistical evidence.
- Tell compelling stories about selling internationally. This can be an unexpected market that you’ve broken into, unusual or difficult circumstances that you have had to overcome to succeed in selling internationally, or perhaps there is a unique seasonality or sustainability angle that the business has taken in its quest to go global.
- Demonstrate a passion for selling their products or services to the world.
Does this sound like you? You have until 9th March 2025 to enter.
The winners of the award, who will be announced in June 2025, will receive a year’s free business membership to the Chartered Institute of Export and International Trade, an export masterclass with a Lloyds Bank trade expert, professional photos of their business and an invitation to the winners’ reception in Parliament.
They will also receive a trophy, certificate, digital badge and bespoke promotion on the Department of Business and Trade’s channels.
The 2024 winners of the ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards’ included Urban Apothecary, which creates award-winning fragrances for the home and body, and Katy Sue Designs, which now sells its products in 49 countries worldwide.
This year, the judges of the award have also published detailed guidance on how to write your submission which can be found here.
Find out more and enter the competition today
If you are interested in finding out more about trading overseas, head to the British Beauty Council Trade Hub.
