Queen's Awards for Lancashire pair

Two Lancashire businesses have earned the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in recognition of their success in overseas markets.

Garstang-based Cheese Matters earned the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth after increasing international sales by 80 per cent between 2018 and 2021. 

The company exports British cheeses around the world on behalf of manufacturers including Dewlay Cheesemakers, Joseph Heler and Cropwell Bishop Creamery.

Despite facing issues such as Brexit, Covid-19, new USA tariffs and the war in Ukraine, Cheese Matters now exports the equivalent of 200,000 litres of milk every week.

Owner John Carr said: "It’s a real credit to my team and the Lancashire cheesemaking community. We have an absolute wealth of talent on our doorstep that have made this possible."

Lancaster-based Samuelson Wylie Associates also won the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short Term Growth after securing European customers for its specialist PR and events services.

The company serves the automotive sector, initially working with domestic manufacturers but later targeting premium automotive brands operating in the UK, Europe and USA. International sales have increased by 158 per cent over the last three years and now account for around two-thirds of all income.