King’s Award presentation recognises investment and innovation in the future of heating

We were honoured to welcome His Majesty The King’s representative to our headquarters site, on a very special day of celebration for Ideal Heating.

His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the East Riding of Yorkshire, Jim Dick OBE, visited our HQ in Hull to formally present us with The King’s Award for Enterprise in the Innovation category.

It recognises the huge investment we’ve made in transforming our business and in leading the heating industry’s transition to low carbon solutions.

Receiving The King’s Award for Enterprise distinguishes Ideal as one of the UK’s very best businesses and is the fourth time we’ve received Britain’s most prestigious business honour.

Shaping the future of heating

The Lord Lieutenant paid tribute to our contribution to both the heating industry and the city of Hull which has been our home for 120 years.

The award is royal recognition for our comprehensive investment and innovation in research and development, manufacturing, logistics, installer training, and customer service and support.

We’ve invested £60m in new manufacturing, distribution and R&D facilities at our Hull site. The jewel in the crown is the £20m UK Technology Centre, which gives us world-class capability to develop, test and innovate the next generation of heating products.

Our continuing commitment to innovation also includes the delivery of an end-to-end heat pump package which is reshaping how the UK adopts low carbon heating technology.

The Lord-Lieutenant said: “It’s a pleasure and a privilege to be here today. Ideal is one of Hull’s proud, long-standing companies. It is wonderful to have such a successful and forward-looking business here in the city.

“This accolade recognises the hugely important contribution Ideal makes to the UK heating industry and the extraordinary innovation that can be seen right across the business.”

Flying the flag for British R&D and manufacturing

During a special ceremony, our CEO Adam Foy thanked colleagues for their contribution to receiving the accolade.

Deputy Lieutenant Deb Oxley OBE read the Grant of Appointment which formally recognises us as one of the UK’s leading businesses, before presenting the scroll to our Chief Financial Officer Steve Hairsine.

Our Training and Design Services Director Andrew Johnson then received The King’s Award trophy on behalf of the business and all of our colleagues.

Adam Foy said: “We’re very proud to receive The King’s Award for Enterprise, especially in the Innovation category.

“It’s a recognition of the ambition of the business and the huge investment we are continuing to make to shape the future of heating, building on our more than 100 years of heritage, experience and expertise.

“The award recognises our commitment to UK R&D and manufacturing and to leading the successful transformation of the heating industry.”

We’re now the proud holder of The King’s Award for five years, meaning we can fly a ceremonial flag at our premises and display the emblem on all branding and marketing materials.

Royal recognition for the fourth time

As the only UK heating manufacturer to receive a King’s Award in 2026, it highlights our vital role in shaping the future of the industry.

The King’s Awards has honoured more than 8,000 companies since its inception in 1965. Winners pass a robust assessment process, with recipients recommended by the Prime Minister and approved by His Majesty the King.

The latest accolade follows us winning the award on three previous occasions, in 2013 and twice in 2019, when it was The Queen’s Award.

It’s an honour we share with our hundreds of colleagues, as well as our partners, customers, installers and suppliers across the UK heating industry.

Our Chief Financial Officer Steve Hairsine is among the many long-serving team members who have contributed to the growth and evolution of the business over many years, seeing a series of Queen’s and King’s Awards during that time.

He said: “In almost 25 years at Ideal Heating, I’ve seen the business receive four Queen’s and King’s Awards. Each time, it has felt incredibly special.

“The pride in receiving this royal honour is felt by our people throughout the business. It recognises the journey we’re on and the exciting progress we’re continuing to make as our industry evolves.”