A prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise was presented to Exmoor-based Shearwell Data Limited on 5th November by His Majesty’s personal representative in the county, the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, Mohammed Saddiq.
A family-run business and a leading global supplier of animal identification and livestock management systems, Shearwell Data was recognised by the King’s Awards for Enterprise for outstanding short-term growth. In the three years to September 2023, its total overseas sales grew by 69%, representing almost a third of its annual turnover.
The Lord-Lieutenant was given a tour of the company’s premises near Minehead, including its state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities and robotics. Shearwell Data’s products are developed and manufactured in the UK, then rigorously tested on the family’s own farms to ensure quality, reliability and ease of use.
Presenting the Award, Mohammed Saddiq, the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset, said: “Many congratulations to everyone at Shearwell Data on receiving the prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise. This is an exceptional achievement – these awards are reserved for only a select number of organisations that truly demonstrate excellence in their field. You have shown remarkable success, not only through the quality and innovation of your products but also through the impressive growth of your exports.
“Shearwell Data stands as a beacon of innovation, commitment and community spirit. As a major employer in West Somerset and a proud family-run business, you exemplify the very best of what Somerset enterprise represents.”
Emma Thorne, Co-CEO of Shearwell Data, said: “We are deeply honoured to accept the King’s Award for Enterprise in recognition of our outstanding growth in international trade. From our humble beginnings working from the kitchen table to where we are today, we’ve always believed in doing things the right way – with integrity, innovation and care for our customers. That belief has helped us achieve remarkable growth, expanding our reach, our partnerships and our impact far beyond the UK.
“Receiving the King’s Award inspires us to go even further. We see it not as a finish line, but as a beginning – a call to continue growing with the same spirit that got us here. We have recently been accredited with approval for a new EID cattle tag in Australia. This will allow us to expand our product portfolio there and offer our great customer service to a wider range of producers.
“We’re proud to carry forward not just the success of our company, but the values of British enterprise, innovation and excellence that this award celebrates.”
The largest employer within the Exmoor National Park, Shearwell Data provides tools that enhance the speed and accuracy of animal identification, improve record-keeping for both management and statutory purposes, and promote livestock health and welfare. With industry-leading tag retention rates and excellent customer support, the company exports to 35 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and South Africa.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
