Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate granted Queen’s Award for Enterprise

Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate, the home of Yorkshire Tea and Taylors Coffee, has been honoured in this year’s Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

The business is one of 31 companies in the UK to be recognised for outstanding achievement in Sustainable Development for its work to integrate sustainability, collaboration and resilience into the heart of its tea and coffee supply chain through its unique sourcing approach.

This is the fourth time that Bettys & Taylors has been granted a Queen’s Award – receiving previous awards in recognition of its commitment to sustainable stakeholder relationships and most recently in 2017 for its unique approach to improving standards throughout its tea and coffee supply chain.

Taylors of Harrogate’s supply chain reaches more than one million tea and coffee farmers and workers in 22 countries. Nearly 10 years ago, the business created Taylors Sourcing Approach – an innovative approach to secure and reward quality tea and coffee by further integrating sustainability into its sourcing – which was co-created with its suppliers.

Since 2017, Taylors has supported 168 social and environmental projects in 15 countries. Projects range from clean-water and education initiatives to a long-term tree planting partnership that has planted nearly three million trees with around 8,800 tea farmers, sequestering carbon and providing valuable secondary incomes, along with shade and food.

During the Covid pandemic the business used its sourcing approach to help mitigate the impact of the pandemic on its suppliers, including the establishment of a global Emergency Relief Fund to get vital support to supplier communities where it was most needed.

Keith Writer, supply director at Taylors, says: “Over the last five years we’ve relentlessly focused on securing quality tea and coffee while working in partnership with our suppliers to address challenges faced across the tea and coffee supply chain. The strength of our relationships proved especially valuable in helping us to maintain stability and support for our suppliers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

“While there is always more to do, we are honoured to be recognised for our ongoing efforts, and this award inspires us to continue our journey to ensure a thriving, sustainable future for our tea and coffee-growing communities around the world.”

Now in its 56th year, the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are presented in four categories – International Trade, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility. The winners are selected under strict judging criteria, against significant competition. The Awards are made each year by the Queen, on the advice of the Prime Minister and her panel of judges.