Emma Heathcote-James, founder of the Little Soap Company, is celebrating a remarkable achievement after her eco-conscious business received the Sustainable Development award at the 2026 King’s Awards for Enterprise.
Starting in 2008 from her kitchen in a Cotswolds cottage, Emma’s passion for crafting all-natural, sustainable soaps has grown into a thriving multi-million-pound enterprise. With product lines such as Organics, Naturals, Eco Warrior, and Little Beast, the company’s bars are now featured in major UK supermarkets including Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, and Boots.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business honours in the UK, recognising exceptional accomplishments in innovation, international trade, sustainable development, and social mobility. The Sustainable Development category, in particular, is highly competitive—awarded to only 15 to 30 businesses annually nationwide.
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Emma considers this accolade a testament to the company’s enduring commitment: “It’s been a hard ride—being green really isn’t easy. But this royal seal of approval validates all the hard work. We truly believe businesses can thrive while putting people and planet before profit.”
Little Soap Company was built from its inception on sustainability principles. It has held B Corp certification since 2020, achieving an improved score of 90.7 at recertification in 2023, making it one of only three UK soap makers with this distinction. The business has been carbon negative for three consecutive years, offsetting more than double its total emissions.
All the company’s products are plant-based, vegan certified, cruelty-free, and made in Britain. Packaging is fully recyclable and composed of recycled materials, including FSC-certified cardboard and post-consumer recycled plastics. Fragrances derive exclusively from pure essential oils without synthetic additives.
For Emma, the journey began out of a personal need: sensitive to synthetic fragrances, she sought pure, natural soaps after her grandmother’s supply ran out. Unable to find anything suitable in stores, she took matters into her own hands—transforming a hobby into a business defined by environmental integrity and quality craftsmanship.
Emma is passionate about raising industry standards: “It frustrates me that on many supermarket shelves, we remain the only natural soap option. There should be more genuinely sustainable competitors. I welcome them to join us—making eco-friendly the norm, not the exception.”
Plans are underway for a royal reception at St James’ Palace this July, followed by a celebratory team barn dance in October. Looking ahead, Emma envisions expanding into international markets: “Export is our next big step. With the King’s recognition, we feel the world is truly our oyster.”
This award not only honours Little Soap Company’s achievements so far but also fuels its ambition to lead a greener, more responsible future in the soap industry.