Houston & Hawkes receives King’s Award for Enterprise 2026: Sustainable Development

Independent contract catering and hospitality business Houston & Hawkes has been honoured with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2026, recognising its industry-leading approach to environmentally and socially responsible foodservice.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards, officially bestowed by King Charles III, recognising outstanding achievement by UK companies in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity. Houston & Hawkes is one of a select group of organisations nationally to be recognised in 2026 for excellence in sustainable development.

Founded in 2019, Houston & Hawkes has embedded sustainability into every aspect of its operations, from sourcing and menu design to supply chain management and employee engagement. The business became the UK’s first B Corp-certified contract caterer in 2022 and was recertified under stricter criteria in 2025, formalising its commitment to balancing profit with purpose.

The award recognises the company’s measurable impact across environmental, social and economic sustainability. This includes achieving net zero emissions across Scope 1 and 2, setting science-based targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and committing to net zero by 2040. The business has also delivered measurable reductions in food waste and set clear year-on-year carbon reduction targets.

As part of this, Houston & Hawkes has introduced a range of practical measures to reduce the carbon impact of its catering operations, including the use of carbon labelling to inform customer choice, ‘plant-forward’ menu design, and AI-powered food waste reduction tools. It also prioritises independent producers across its supply chain, with over 95% of the company’s suppliers being UK-based independent businesses.

Alongside its environmental performance, Houston & Hawkes has demonstrated strong social impact. All employees are paid at or above the Real Living Wage, with structured development programmes and wellbeing support contributing to 97% employee retention over the past 12 months. The business also works closely with charities and community organisations, including Cook for Good, a social enterprise tacking food insecurity and social isolation based in London’s Kings Cross, Refettorio Felix, a drop-in centre and community kitchen serving vulnerable people in Earl's Court and beyond, and Magic Breakfast, which provides nutritious meals to schoolchildren.

Simon Houston, co-founder and director of Houston & Hawkes, said:

“We are incredibly proud to be recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise. From day one, sustainability has shaped every decision we make, from the food we serve to the partners we work with. This recognition is testament to our progress but also motivates us to go further as we continue to raise standards across the sector.