At Woolcool, we’ve always believed that doing things differently can drive meaningful change. This year marks yet another proud moment in our journey, following Founder Angela Morris’s original design concept in 2001, as we celebrate winning a King’s Award, completing what we fondly call our “Royal hat trick”.
Having been recognised for the Queens Award for Enterprise for Innovation & Sustainable Development, and now the Kings Award for International Trade, our latest achievement is incredibly special to us. It not only reflects how far we’ve come as a business but also reinforces the values that have guided us from the very beginning.
Being recognised by the Queens Award for Innovation in 2018 validated that belief. It showed that a nature-led approach could compete at the highest level and deliver real-world impact.
As our business grew, so did our focus on sustainability. While it has always been at the core of what we do, receiving our second recognition, this time for Sustainable Development in 2022 was a defining moment. It demonstrated that our commitment wasn’t just part of our story, it was making a tangible difference.
And now, with our latest King’s Award, this time for International Trade, we are proud to showcase how that journey has expanded beyond the UK. What began as a pioneering idea has evolved into a global solution, supporting businesses around the world in adopting more sustainable packaging practices.
incredibly proud to be among them. This “hat trick” represents more than just awards, it tells the story of our evolution as a company. It is also testimony to our Woolcool team, who are passionate, committed and have each taken on the mission to make Woolcool what it is today.
From innovation, to sustainability, to global growth, each award highlights a key chapter in our journey. Together, they reflect how we have developed from a disruptive idea into a trusted partner across multiple industries.
For us, this latest King’s Award feels particularly significant. It brings together everything we’ve worked towards and demonstrates that our approach is truly credible, that has not only succeeded locally, but on the international stage. Woolcool is evidence that with creative thinking, collaboration and an open-minded approach, there are positive and tangible solutions that can address the global climate and resource challenges we face today.
Operating in sectors that are often traditional and cautious by nature means that trust is essential. Introducing new materials and approaches, especially in temperature-controlled packaging, requires confidence from our customers.
These awards have played an important role in building that confidence. They provide independent recognition that our solutions are not only innovative, but credible, proven, and effective.
They have helped open doors, spark conversations, and encourage organisations to consider alternatives they may not have explored before. In that way, the impact of these awards extends far beyond Woolcool, they help support a wider shift towards more sustainable practices.
While achieving this “hat trick” is a milestone we are incredibly proud of, we remain grounded in the understanding that our journey is far from complete.
We know we aren’t perfect, and we don’t claim to be. Sustainability is an ongoing process, and there is always more we can do to improve, refine, and innovate.
These awards are not an endpoint, they are a reflection of progress, and a motivation to keep moving forward.
It was Angela’s vision and creativity over two decades ago that brought Woolcool to life. There have been plenty of challenges along the way, however it is awards such as this which really cement our place as innovators in our sector.
She reflects that "we are incredibly proud to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade 2026, a recognition that underscores our long-held belief in the power of nature's own 'smart fibre'. Winning this prestigious accolade reaffirms the global potential of wool—not just as a sustainable alternative, but as a high-performance material capable of protecting the world’s most temperature-critical assets. Whether it is the distribution of life-saving vaccines to remote corners of the globe or the protection of delicate electronic components, our research has proven that wool consistently outperforms man-made alternatives. This award belongs to our dedicated Woolcool Team and reinforces our commitment to using renewable resources to meet the planet's most urgent logistical and environmental challenges."
As we celebrate this year’s King’s Award, we do so with a sense of pride, gratitude, and determination. It is a recognition of the hard work of our team, the trust of our customers, and the strength of our mission.
Most importantly, it reinforces what we’ve always believed: nature knows best! If we harness creativity and design, we can create forward-thinking solutions that have a lasting positive impact.
As our CEO Josie puts it ‘Over the years we have battled credibility, those who doubted wool’s viability, our viability and those who said it couldn’t be done. We’ve been told we were crazy more times that we can count. However, for every naysayer, we’ve had many more who have believed in the cause, and we have remained true and committed to our mission. Achieving this award is a moment to celebrate, particularly to shout about our amazing team who make Woolcool, and our customers, partners and supporters over the years who have chosen and championed us! It’s also a reminder that our journey continues and the opportunities in front of us are vast. There is still a very long and exciting road ahead of us and I cannot wait to see what else it holds. As I always say…watch this space!’