Love Heartwood is a Rural Business Awards winner after this year’s National Finals. Jules Hudson, the BBC Escape to the Country presenter, once again delighted the finalists as host for the ceremony on Thursday 24th February. The awards recognise and celebrate the successes and vital contributions of businesses to the UK’s rural economy. The rural sector is a vital part of the national economy since in England alone it contributes £261bn to the nation’s GVA (GrossValue Added). This is nearly a fifth of the country’s total economic activity. Founded by rural-based businesswomen, Jemma Clifford and Anna Price, the Rural Business Awards are backed by Amazon and judged by an independent panel of judges, drawn from the rural business sector,rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.
Joint Winner of the Sustainability and Environmental Impact Award
The Sustainability and Environmental Impact Award was a hard fought category with 2 winners eventually being named. Love Heartwood being one and Coterie Leather, from West Wales, being the other. See the full list of finalists here
Runner up of the Best Artisan or Craft Business
Love Heartwood was also delighted to take the runner up position, from a final line up of 5, in the Best Artisan/Craft Business category. See the full list of finalists here
Judges Comments
“What a lovely start up business that embraces sustainablility and its rural location. The way in which the individual has shaped her business is heartwarming, and she uses traditional skill working with a natural material to be carbon neutral and sustainable.”
Sustainability and Environmental Impact Award Judges
Winners Comments
Love Heartwood specialises in handmade wooden toys for eco conscious families, gives turning lessons and also runs a wooden toy repair service. Sustainability is a core part of the business which means that all the wood used is locally sourced with much of it being reclaimed. Plus, all of Liz’s other materials and finishes are plant based, sourced in the UK and a tree is planted for every item sold.
“I was absolutely blown away to not only be a national runner up but also a winner. At a national level that’s an amazing achievement that I’m really proud of. Working alone can be quite isolating and it was wonderful to receive this recognition of my skills and hard work.”
Liz Pearson, Founder of Love Heartwood
“On behalf of everyone at the Rural Business Awards, I would like to congratulate those rural businesses who have worked tirelessly throughout another challenging year. Every year, I continue to be proud and remain in awe at the high calibre of entries to the Awards and each business who was shortlisted should be very proud of reaching the National Final.”
Jemma Clifford, Director and Co-Founder of The Rural Business Awards
The Awards are organised by rural business for rural business. There are winners and one runner up in the 13 categories – ranging from Best Rural Start Up and Best Rural Diversification Project; through to Best Rural Professional Services Business and Best Rural Innovation. Each winner and runner up are selected by an independent panel of judges drawn from the rural business sector, rural public sector agencies, and rural charitable organisations.
This year’s win follows Love Heartwood winning the regional finals last year. To read more about that visit love heartwood – rural business awards finalist
To learn about the Rural Business Awards visit www.ruralbusinessawards.co.uk