Salt of the Earth Receives King's Award for Enterprise

By Roselle PeckNovember 06, 2025

It’s not every day that a deodorant company receives a Royal award - but this was that day. 🏆

On 14th October 2025, His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire, Nigel Atkinson Esq, presented Salt of the Earth with the King's Award for Enterprise – International Trade 2025 at the company's Chandlers Ford factory.

The Presentation

The Lord-Lieutenant arrived at 2pm for a ceremony that managed to be both appropriately formal (it's a Royal award, after all) and genuinely relaxed. He spoke about what the King's Award represents and was genuinely interested in how the company had gone from a tiny home operation to selling in 35 countries.

After the Deputy Lieutenant, Mr Mark Thistlethwayte, read the official certificate, the Award was presented to Managing Director Thomas Laird. Then the Lord-Lieutenant did something brilliant – he met every single member of the team, asking about their roles and what they do. No rushing, just proper conversations with everyone from production to warehouse to office.

The next morning, walking around the factory, the pride was unmistakable.

What the Award Recognises

The King’s Award for Enterprise - International Trade recognises our 137% growth in international sales over three years. Salt of the Earth's certified natural deodorants now sell in 35 countries - from Greece to South Africa, the Benelux countries to Malaysia.

The international sales started 15 years ago when international companies and distributors started approaching us. Over the years the company has invested in increasing its international presence. This year the Salt of the Earth exhibited at Cosmoprof Bologna – the world's largest cosmetics trade show with over 250,000 visitors. We are going back in 2026.

The growth has been built on foundations Sally Laird established when she acquired the business in 2005. Since then the company has achieved COSMOS Natural certification (2019), Leaping Bunny approval, Vegan Society certification, and most recently B Corp certification. Each one matters because they're independent verification that the company actually does what it says it does.

A Team Effort

The certificate may have the company name on it, but it belongs to the people who make everything possible: those formulating in the lab, manufacturing on the line, managing logistics, and building relationships with distributors worldwide. The Lord-Lieutenant clearly understood that - which is why taking time with each person meant so much.

What’s Next?

At 32 years old as a company, Salt of the Earth is still ambitious. Solar panels are planned for the factory roof that will generate 109% of the company's electricity needs – powering manufacturing and feeding back to the grid. The company has offered refillable deodorant options since 2013, is Living Wage accredited, and keeps looking for ways to do things better.

As the company continues expanding internationally, this recognition confirms something important: that certified natural products, manufactured responsibly in Hampshire, can compete successfully on the world stage.

Thank You

Thanks to His Majesty The King for the Award, and to the Lord-Lieutenant and Deputy Lieutenant te for making the ceremony memorable.

Thanks to the team, customers, retail partners across the UK and internationally, and the network of distributors in 35 countries. This award celebrates what has been built together.

About the King’s Award for Enterprise

Established in 1965, the King's Award for Enterprise is the UK's most prestigious business award. Salt of the Earth is one of just 197 organisations nationally to receive this honour in 2025. Recipients can display the emblem for five years and fly the King's Award flag at their premises. If you have a company and you think you’d be interested in entering these awards, please find out more here.