Arundel & South Downs MP Nick Herbert visited the head office of Only Natural Products in Thakeham to congratulate them on the rare honour of a second Queens Award for International Trade on 10th May.

Mr Herbert met the company’s owner and Chief Executive, Keith Garden, and the team behind the award-winning organic tea ranges which include Higher Living and Dr Stuarts.  The family business is based in Thakeham and their factory is located in Gloucester.

Last month, the Queen named 200 businesses as among the best in the country in the prestigious Queens Award for Enterprise.  This is the second time Only Natural Products have been bestowed the honour, the first in 2016, a rare achievement for recipients.

Charlotte Garden and Arran Elliott, both international sales directors for the business, will attend a reception at Buckingham Palace next month to receive the Award.

Three quarters of this year’s Queens Award winners are small and medium sized businesses, demonstrating that the UK is one of the best places in the world to start and grow a business.  The UK is ranked 8th in the world for doing business by the World Economic Forum and World Bank.

Keith Garden and Mr Herbert spoke about the development of the business since they first met.  The company has expanded its ranges to meet the requirements and tastes of their overseas customers.  Higher Living tea is the second most popular organic tea in Australia, after Twinings.

Only Natural Products are exporting into many countries, including China, a nation regarded as the birthplace of tea.  British tea blends are increasingly popular in Chinese stores and cafes as consumers seek new flavours.

Keith Garden said: “We were delighted to win the Queens Award for the second time!  It reflects the great activity and passion from the team at Only Natural Products and popularity of our Organic Higher Living brand.  We are an independent family company with big ambitions, and now on sale in over 55 countries and in some of the world’s biggest retailers.”

Mr Herbert said: “I am delighted for Keith and the team at Only Natural Products who I am proud to have in my constituency.  It is quite an achievement to receive the Queens Award twice, and is testimony to their exporting success and hard work in developing strong business relationships.  I wish them continued success.”