Winning innovation for Green Sheep Group as business receives Queen’s Award
Innovation and the creation of high quality organic products for babies is at the heart of Green Sheep Group, so there was much celebration when the UK based business discovered it was to receive the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.
The award was presented to the Green Sheep Group for its innovative products and impressive growth and is one of the most prestigious accolades a UK based company can win.
Each year Her Majesty the Queen selects only a few companies to receive the award on her birthday (April 21), based on the advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an Advisory Committee that includes representatives of Government, industry and commerce, and the trade unions.
To achieve the award the Green Sheep Group, which produces organic baby products, showed fantastic growth, a focus on innovation and a strategic approach to all areas of the business.
Roger Allen, Chief Executive, said: “The whole company was absolutely delighted to receive the news. It is testimony to the hard work and upbeat culture in every department that we have received such an incredible honour.
“The company’s innovation and professional management has been instrumental in the achievement. We understood how involved the process was and dedicated significant time and energy to get it right. Our existing focus on innovation helped enormously, as did our emphasis on strategic planning; two core strands that run throughout the business.
“The Queen’s Award focuses attention from macro thinking through to a high demand for accuracy and attention to detail. We had to demonstrate professional acumen within each facet of the business, including the high levels of growth we have managed and lived through over recent years. It is an incredibly exciting time.”
The award follows a number of other fantastic accolades, including the Sunday Times Fast Track Top 10 Ones to watch in December 2017.
The two nursery brands produced by the business, Little Green Sheep and Snüz, have enjoyed national and international recognition, sweeping the board for industry awards.
And with a £70,000 TV campaign going live at the end of April, across the Sky network of channels, the business is continuing to push forward.
To mark the award the company will receive a Grant of Appointment and Queen’s Award flag from the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire at the Stratford-upon-Avon HQ. The Crown and Queens Award logo will be displayed on product, packaging and marketing for five years and the award ceremony culminates in a presentation by The Queen at Buckingham Palace.
In between receiving the Queen’s Award for Enterprise, running a national TV campaign and several product launches; some of the team will also meet Sir Richard Branson for the Sunday Times Fast Track presentation.
Roger added: “This award will support our national business and make a significant contribution to our fast-developing international expansion.
“It’s an incredible privilege to be part of such a highly talented, happy and successful team.”
Photo caption (Left to right): Mark Nicholls, Marketing Director; Lianne Bishop, Company Secretary; Roger Allen, CEO; Rosie Pritchard, Commercial Director; Paul Maurice, Product Director; at the Green Sheep Group headquarters near Stratford-upon-Avon
Green Sheep Group - one to watch
The Sunday Times Fast Track Ones to Watch have confirmed a top 10 position for this fast-growing Midlands company. The award is being made by Sir Richard Branson early in 2018.
‘What a fantastic year at Green Sheep Group’ Roger Allen, Chief Executive said during a recent interview: ‘The valued connections we have made and professional approaches we’ve received have surpassed anything we’ve seen in our history.’
‘Moving the business just over a year ago to our new central Warwickshire location has paid dividends. Whilst retaining and developing an outstanding team we have also attracted many superb new people and applicants for the new jobs we’ve created in National Account Management, Merchandising, Product, Marketing, Distribution and Customer Services.’
‘Being named in the Sunday Times Fast Track Top 10 Ones to Watch has rounded off a breath-taking year!’
‘Raising capital alongside the launch of 40 new soft goods products and the immediate sell-out of SnüzKot, our much-awaited follow up to the award winning SnüzPod, has kept us busy all year’
‘A great year in partnership with John Lewis alongside an extremely close relationship with Mothercare and Amazon and other key retailers has seen the continuing benefits of achieving the right balance between clicks and mortar channels.’
Based in Stratford upon Avon, the Company has developed client relationships across the Gulf region and continental Europe as it increases its global footprint. ‘2018 promises to be every bit as exciting for our highly-valued & talented team, our retailers, our consumers and, most of all, our (sometimes) silent little customers!’
‘We need more space, more people and even more innovation as we look forward to 2018. These are all good problems to have and we wish everyone who has been part of this fantastic journey a very happy Christmas.’
CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED AS WE RELOCATE TO WARWICKSHIRE TO MEET GROWING CUSTOMER DEMAND
As an award-winning company we have developed a significant market in the growing UK nursery and baby products industry and have now moved to a larger head office in Warwickshire, from our previous base in Worcestershire - and appointed a new chief executive.
We employ 25 – having created 18 new jobs in the past three years. We are also embarking on a further significant recruitment programme to meet demand.
Now, as we continue to rapidly grow and expand, we have re-located to 5,000 sq.ft. premises in Snitterfield having outgrown our offices in Redditch. The location was selected because of its proximity to Warwick, Leamington Spa and Coventry , where a number of our staff live. We have also expanded our 12,000 sq.ft. distribution centre which we are retaining.
At the same time, Roger Allen, who has served as our chairman since January 2014, has been appointed chief executive as we strengthen our management team and concentrates on significant business growth plans that include innovation in new product launches and international trade.
Our products are stocked by leading retailers such as Mamas and Papas, Mothercare, John Lewis, Amazon and selected independents throughout the UK.
Roger, who for the past three years has worked with our company’s directors to help structure the Group, said the business is now extremely well positioned to expand further.
“We have a proven track-record and are well placed to take on significant growth opportunities. Despite outstanding successes however, our feet remain firmly on the ground,” he said.
“I am delighted to take on this full-time executive role in a business I greatly admire and which has benefited from a positive culture, a firm belief in its products and a clear focus on customers. It has superb opportunities both in the UK and internationally.”
Roger, who comes from a senior leadership background within successful UK businesses and international markets, said the business has a loyal following amongst parents in particular who have helped spread the word and recommend its products to friends and families.
“We have also developed excellent relationships with national retailers whilst remaining loyal to those independent outlets with whom we have partnered since the early days.
“We are continuing to grow organically, through further innovative product development and international expansion, whilst remaining true to our goal of producing quality products that our customers want. The Little Green Sheep brand includes organic bedding and mattresses, sleepwear and gift items.
“Snüz includes SnüzPod, voted the UK’s number one bedside crib, Snüz bedding and range of printed bedding accessories. The eagerly awaited SnüzKot will be launched in summer 2017,” said Roger.
We have also been responsible for bringing many of the most popular nursery and baby bedtime brands to market in recent years.
