Three Staffordshire companies have today been announced as recipients of The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2025 – the UK’s most prestigious business award.
Collaborate & Innovate (also known as Cosy Direct), TMT First and Mobell Communications are among 12 businesses from the West Midlands, and 197 nationally to be recognised for their vital role in growing the economy to improve lives.
The recognition places them among the best in the country highlighting the ambition, ingenuity, and success of the diverse business community.
Cosy Direct, headquartered near Burton upon Trent, has picked up an International Trade accolade, making it a rare double winner after also receiving a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2022.
The company promotes an active childhood, designing and supplying natural educational equipment to 33 countries worldwide and has seen exports grow by 2000 per cent in the last five years including hiring multilingual export staff, opening a trading office in mainland Europe and expanding its operations across Canada and the USA.
Managing Director David Hook said: “Our whole team have worked so hard to reform Cosy’s process and quality to get us export fit.
“With a brand-new team and offices and staff in the Netherlands, it’s one of our four stellar growth divisions. To be lucky enough to win two King’s Awards as we approach our 15th year is simply brilliant and we’re all over the moon.”
TMT First, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been recognised in the Innovation category for its Mobile Component Repair Service (MCR).
The MCR process revolutionises how mobile devices are repaired by isolating and replacing only the damaged components rather than traditional repairs that often involve replacing entire assemblies — such as the screen, frame, or battery.
Founder Adam Whitehouse, pictured above, said: “To receive a King’s Award for Innovation is one of the proudest moments of my career. To be recognised for the hard work we have done around innovation is truly humbling.
“Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at TMT First, and this award reinforces our mission to continue to deliver smarter, more sustainable technology solutions for our partners, customers and the circular economy.”
Hednesford-based Mobell Communications, which provides phone and data services to English speakers in Japan and Japanese speakers in the USA, has won an International Trade award.
James Leavesley DL, Staffordshire Deputy Lieutenant and Panel Champion for Business and Enterprise, said: “Staffordshire companies yet again show their brilliance and expertise in achieving the highly converted King’s Award for Enterprise.
“The internationally recognised award is the most prestigious award any company can win, and my huge congratulations go to the three Staffordshire winners this year.”
Gareth Thomas, Minister for Services, Small Businesses and Exports said: “There are some fantastic West Midlands businesses recognised in this year’s King’s Awards for Enterprise: from Level Peaks’ innovative security and defence equipment to TMT First’s contributions to the circular economy.
“I wish the winners every success as they continue to grow, innovate and prosper, and commend the invaluable contributions they have already made to communities at home in the West Midlands and abroad, helping to boost the UK economy.”
The awards programme is now in its 59th year and was previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.
Recipients have to pass a robust assessment process, judged by experts from industry, academia, the voluntary sector, and senior officials in Whitehall. On that basis, each year, The King’s Awards for Enterprise recipients are recommended by the Prime Minister and approved by His Majesty The King.
Awards are valid for five years and allow recipients to fly The King’s Awards flag at their main office and use the emblem on marketing materials.
His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenants – The King’s representatives in each county – will be presenting the awards to the winning businesses, with one representative from each organisation invited to a special Royal reception event.
Applications for The King’s Awards for Enterprise 2026 open today, 6 May. For more information, visit this webpage.
