Climbing Trees Celebrates the King's Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development

Last week, we proudly celebrated a major milestone in the history of Climbing Trees — our recognition as a recipient of the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. This honour was marked by a special Grant of Appointment ceremony held at the stunning Wivenhoe House Hotel. The event was graced by Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, who presented the award on behalf of His Majesty the King.

As the King’s personal representative in the county, it was a privilege to have Lord-Lieutenant present this prestigious award, a testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainability, innovation, and creating positive environmental change.

During the ceremony, our Managing Director, Alex Holliman, shared his reflections on Climbing Trees’ journey toward sustainability and the significance of receiving this recognition:

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to His Majesty King Charles III, Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, the Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, and the distinguished panel that recognised our efforts. Climbing Trees has grown into a vision to disrupt the marketing industry by demonstrating that success and sustainability can go hand in hand. This award is not just a testament to our commitment but also a validation of our belief that doing good is good for business.”

Climbing Trees’ clients have been essential partners in this journey, from renowned brands like Olympus Cameras to global charities like Greenpeace. Their trust in us to help them make a positive impact has been pivotal to our success, and we are deeply grateful for their ongoing support and partnership.

Lord-Lieutenant praised Climbing Trees for our pioneering efforts in sustainable business, highlighting the importance of sustainability in today’s economy. In her speech, she reflected on the heritage and significance of the award:

“In my capacity as Lord-Lieutenant, I am representing His Majesty the King on this special occasion. But in 1965, the late Queen initiated what was then The Queen’s Award for Enterprise, and His Majesty the King is very keen to continue the award, reflecting his interest in business and the support of our excellent British companies. The award is for the highest level of achievement for UK businesses, and it’s an award for each member of the company, so everyone should be extremely proud of what you have achieved.”

She went on to commend our Brands with Purpose Report, which assesses attitudes toward sustainability across UK businesses, describing it as “an exemplary piece of thought and leadership.” 

Another proud moment for Climbing Trees was being the only company in Essex to receive this accolade in 2024. It underscores not just our achievements but also the importance of embedding sustainability as a core business principle.

“It’s a proud moment to announce that Climbing Trees achieves the King’s Award for sustainability whilst maintaining strong commercial growth,” added Lord-Lieutenant during her remarks.

The Grant of Appointment ceremony was a truly memorable day, marking an important chapter in the Climbing Trees story. This award is not just a milestone; it’s a testament to what can be achieved when purpose and passion come together.

Looking ahead, Climbing Trees remains committed to leading the way in sustainable marketing, showing that businesses can indeed thrive while making a positive impact on the environment.We extend our deepest thanks to Mrs Jennifer Tolhurst, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Essex, for presenting us with this incredible honour. And thank you to everyone — our clients, partners, and team—who has supported us on this remarkable journey.

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