A toiletry brand is celebrating after it picked up a prestigious business award.

The English Soap Company, based in Waldron near Heathfield, won exporter of the year award in the Business Champion awards this year.

The Business Champion Awards attracts entries from innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs across the country.

The judges for the exporter category were looking for a business that operates in multiple countries, has forged relationships with suppliers and has managed to survive and turn a profit despite the pandemic and cost of living crisis. 

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The English Soap Company manufactures luxury soap bars, toiletries and soy wax candles, which it says are "of the highest quality at affordable prices with a strong focus on sustainability".

The Argus: Oliver Butts, centre left, with The English Soap Company team and Huw Edwards, rightOliver Butts, centre left, with The English Soap Company team and Huw Edwards, right (Image: BlueberryPR)

At the awards ceremony, Oliver Butts, managing director of The English Soap Company, had to present how he supports local suppliers to the audience.

Oliver said: “Winning the business champion awards means so much to me and the business. It is an affirmation of all the hard work we have put into export and is testament to what we have been building up over the last 10 years.

“To have it sponsored by The Department of International Trade, an organisation who we have worked with over the years makes it extra special and I am truly proud of what the team have done allowing us to win this award.

“Over the last few years we have won several regional awards but this is the first national award, so it is hugely significant for the team.”

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Oliver joined 140 other finalists at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf for an evening hosted by broadcaster Huw Edwards.

The Argus: Oliver Butts, left, with Huw Edwards, centreOliver Butts, left, with Huw Edwards, centre (Image: BlueberryPR)

The English Soap Company now exports to more than 40 countries and launched a new retail site in February 2023 to make shopping easier for customers.  

Producing over four million bars a year which are sold through major UK and international retailers, hotel and gift suppliers, The English Soap Company is a family business with a mission to ensure everything it does upholds the values of an English product.

That means dedication to quality while offering honest and fair value with excellent customer service, they state.