The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards, officially bestowed by King Charles III, recognising ‘outstanding achievement’ by UK companies in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity.
Houston & Hawkes has embedded sustainability into every aspect of its operations, from sourcing and menu design to supply chain management and employee engagement. The award recognises the company’s measurable impact across environmental, social and economic sustainability.
The business became the UK’s first B Corp-certified contract caterer in 2022 and was recertified under stricter criteria in 2025, formalising its commitment to balancing profit with purpose. It prioritises independent producers across its supply chain, with over 95% of the company’s suppliers being independent businesses.
Houston & Hawkes has introduced a range of practical measures to reduce the carbon impact of its catering operations, including the use of carbon labelling to inform customer choice, ‘plant-forward’ menu design, and AI-powered food waste reduction tools.
All employees are paid at or above the Real Living Wage, with development programmes and wellbeing support contributing to 97% employee retention over the past 12 months. The business also works closely with charities and community organisations, including Cook for Good, Refettorio Felix and Magic Breakfast.
Simon Houston, co-founder and director of Houston & Hawkes, said: “We are incredibly proud to be recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise. From day one, sustainability has shaped every decision we make, from the food we serve to the partners we work with. This recognition is testament to our progress but also motivates us to go further as we continue to raise standards across the sector.”