Following a formal reception at Windsor Castle last year, the official presentation of the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category was made to David and Helen Brass and their team at The Lakes’ packing centre and headquarters in Stainton. Representing Cumbria’s Lord Lieutenant at the presentation were Deputy Lieutenants Bryan Gray and Ian Brown.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise honour exceptional achievements made by UK businesses. This marked the 50th year of the monarchs’ awards celebrating British business success, and it was the second time The Lakes has received this prestigious honour.
David Brass said, “Putting this award into perspective, fewer than 200 companies nationwide received awards across four categories this year, and only 27 of those were for sustainable development. We were told that this is the most challenging category in which to be recognised, so to receive it twice, is a huge accolade to the work of our entire team. This means everyone from our farmer suppliers, who all have biodiversity action plans on their farms, to our farm and factory colleagues and our despatch team.
“Our first award was the Queen’s Award in 2018, when the company celebrated its 21st anniversary, and this second award was announced last year. No other egg producer or packer has achieved this level of recognition, and we are immensely proud of both the achievement and the team that helped us accomplish it.”
King’s Award – a high bar to achieve
In presenting the award, Cumbria’s Deputy Lieutenant Bryan Gray said, “This Sustainable Development Award sets an extremely high bar to achieve, endorsed by the fact that only 27 awards have been presented this year. It is a very exclusive club – and one which His Majesty King Charles is keen to support. It is a particularly outstanding achievement to receive recognition in this category for a second time and is a testament to setting exacting standards and pursuing excellence at all times, alongside good leadership and a talented team.”
The Lakes was founded in 1997 by David and Helen Brass. Since inception, they have continued to produce free-range and organic eggs, packed to the highest standards and adhering to leading animal welfare, ethical, and environmental principles. Today, The Lakes is one of the UK’s largest specialised free-range egg producers and packers, achieving this through a network of producers and by developing a farming model that is profitable, sustainable, and replicable.
From inception, they have always believed that planting trees improves the welfare of free-range hens. When they began, no industry standards existed, so they led the way.
Reflecting on the monarch’s latest award, David Brass said, “Receiving this award at the beginning of 2026 is a welcome boost for our team, particularly at a time when sustainability and British food production are such important issues – areas that both His Majesty King Charles and our business care deeply about. We are proud of what we have achieved so far and excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”
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