Staffordshire firms honoured in King’s Awards for Enterprise

Three Staffordshire companies have been recognised for their contribution to business in the 2025 King’s Awards for Enterprise.

The awards are presented annually and winners are selected based on their achievements in one or more of the following categories: Innovation, International Trade, Sustainable Development, and Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility. Winners are selected by an independent panel of judges who are experts in their respective fields.

Winners include:

TMT First Limited – Innovation
Mobell Communications Limited – International Trade
Cosy Direct – International Trade

The companies will receive their awards later this year from the Staffordshire Lieutenancy on behalf of the King.

James Leavesley DL, Staffordshire Deputy Lieutenant and Panel Champion for Business and Enterprise, said: “Staffordshire companies yet again show their brilliance and expertise in achieving the highly converted King’s Award for Enterprise.

“The internationally recognised award is the most prestigious award any company can win, and my huge congratulations go to the three Staffordshire winners this year.”

Darryl Eyers, Director for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills at Staffordshire County Council, added: “I would like to congratulate our three winning companies, who have done incredibly well in achieving this prestigious award.

“These are always very competitively fought awards, with a rigorous judging process and the companies should be very proud of their achievements”

TMT First, based in Newcastle-under-Lyme, repairs, refurbishes, and recycles devices to build a more sustainable future for technology. It is the approved Samsung Partner and Apple Independent Repair Provider.

Founded in 2006, the Staffordshire based company employs 160 people and now processes around 250,000 products including phones, wearables, tablets, accessories and laptops every year.

Founder and Chair of TMT First Adam Whitehouse said: “To receive a King’s Award for Innovation is one of the proudest moments of my career. To be recognised for the hard work we have done around innovation is truly humbling. Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at TMT First, and this award reinforces our mission to continue to deliver smarter, more sustainable technology solutions for our partners, customers and the circular economy.

He added: “Our Mobile Component Repair process is a game-changer — reducing repair costs cutting CO2 annually, and extending the life of devices. It’s a smarter, greener way to repair tech, so to see what we’ve achieved recognised at the highest level with this award is amazing and something I’ll never forget.”

Cosy Direct works with nursery groups and schools across the UK to design and build the ideal learning space for their children. The business has been specifically honoured for its excellence in international trade, and supplying sustainable nursery and educational equipment to 38 countries worldwide.

Employing 107 people, Cosy Direct was founded in 2011 by husband-and-wife team, Peter and Amanda Ellse. Cosy promotes a natural, engaged and active childhood and is continually innovating and developing its product range with teacher-led research and play in mind.

David Hook, Cosy Managing Director, said: “Our whole team have worked so hard for this award. It is a testament to the quality of our resources, service from our colleagues, and to our wonderful customers in the UK and overseas who have supported us through this journey. With a brand new team and offices and staff in the Netherlands, our export group is one of our four stellar growth divisions. To achieve a King’s Award for Enterprise as we approach our 15^th year to sit alongside our Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development is a tremendous achievement and we are honoured with this recognition.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are open to businesses of all sizes, from small startups to large corporations, as well as individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the UK economy and society. Winning this award is a prestigious honour that can help to raise a company’s profile and boost its reputation.

This year, 199 UK businesses have been recognised for their contribution to International Trade 161, Innovation 46, Sustainable Development 27 and Promoting Opportunity Through Social Mobility 10.

Further details on the awards are available at The King’s Awards for Enterprise website.