King’s Award for Enterprise

An international pet food specialist run by three ex-GB athletes is celebrating after becoming one of the first companies in the world to receive a business award from King Charles III.

Podium Pet Products has been honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise 2023. It was set up by former World Cup Skeleton athlete Carina Evans and International Polo players Andrew Hine and Nick Evans.

The company, whose popular brands include Dog Rocks and Be:Loved, has been recognised for its excellence in international trade by the new King.

Podium Pet Products is one of 148 organisations to receive the first-ever King’s Award for Enterprise. Podium Pet Products bosses received the same recognition in 2016 for its popular product Dog Rocks, when it was called the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

The honours programme, now in its 57th year, is the most respected business awards in the country, with successful companies able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.

Carina Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Podium Pet Products, said: “This is a tremendous honour for the company and recognition of the hard work, innovation and inspiration of a talented team.

“Having achieved the Queen’s Award for Enterprise seven years ago was marvellous, and now to become one of the first UK companies to be honoured with a King’s Award is extra special.

“We are absolutely over the moon to have received such an accolade. We have always prided ourselves on our ability to expand our relationships with customers and partners whilst providing an excellent level of service,” she added.

The full integration of Be:Loved into the portfolio prompted Carina to change the company name from Dog Rocks UK to Podium Pet Products with Andrew and Nick.

Carina said: “Export is now a joy but to begin with it was a minefield, especially in America. Europe is becoming less traditional and regional with younger English-speaking buyers and savvy marketeers so therefore a more attractive market to us as well.

“Being honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade 2023 will help us grow the business in all our markets, and it is an accolade to be treasured.”

For more information about Podium Pet Products visit www.podiumpetproducts.com.