BATH, England—Adult online retailer Lovehoney received the Queen’s Award for International Trade for outstanding growth in overseas sales over the past three years.
The award was announced 14 years to the day from when owners Richard Longhurst and Neal Slateford launched the site from Longhurst’s bedroom in Bath. Today, Lovehoney has a turnover of £60 million and employs more than 250 people all over the world.
The duo will attend a reception held by the Queen at Buckingham Palace on July 14.
“It’s a huge privilege for Lovehoney to be honoured by the Queen,” Slateford said. “Official recognition from the Queen as she celebrates her 90th birthday shows just how far we have come as a company and how far sex toys have been embraced by mainstream shoppers.
The award, described as “the highest accolade for business success,” allows Lovehoney to use The Queen’s Award emblem in advertising, marketing and on packaging for a period of five years as a symbol of quality and success.
“This award will help us to reach new markets and create more jobs both in Bath and in our global offices,” Longhurst said. “The Queen is Britain’s greatest trade ambassador and consumers trust a brand with her patronage. Long may she reign over us.”
Profits at Lovehoney shot up 79 percent last year to £3.7 million and it was highlighted as one of Britain’s Top 100 most profitable private companies by the Sunday Times.
Lovehoney’s global expansion was boosted by winning the official license to make all official Fifty Shades of Grey sex products four years ago. It has developed several ranges with E L James, author of the trilogy.
Overseas sales almost trebled last year from £4.5 million to £12 million following the launch of new websites for the French, German and Australian markets and customers paying in Euros.
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said, “The Queen’s Awards are a great way of celebrating the best of British business. We are a country full of exciting and innovative businesses that deserve to be celebrated. I’d like to commend all the winners for their hard work in creating jobs and driving our growing economy.”
For more information, visit Lovehoney.com.
