Blue Skies, the Northamptonshire-headquartered fruit business, has been awarded The King’s Award for Enterprise in the Sustainable Development category – one of the UK’s highest official business honours.

This latest recognition makes Blue Skies the only company in Northamptonshire to have received the royal business accolade five times, having previously won four Queen’s Awards for Enterprise.

This prestigious recognition reflects Blue Skies’ longstanding commitment to building a business that delivers commercial success while creating positive social, environmental, and economic impact.

A Global Business with Local Impact

Founded on the principle that fresh produce should be prepared as close as possible to where it is grown, Blue Skies has become an internationally recognised fresh-cut fruit company with operations in Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Brazil, Benin and the UK.

Headquartered in Northamptonshire, UK, with its UK production facility based in Corby, Blue Skies employs nearly 10,000 people globally.

By adding value at source, Blue Skies helps create skilled jobs, supports livelihoods, strengthens local economies, and delivers high-quality fresh products to customers around the world.

Recognition for a Business Built on Purpose

The award recognises Blue Skies’ distinctive approach to sustainable business through:

• Its pioneering value-adding at source model, producing fresh-cut fruit and products close to where fruit is grown
• Its Joint Effort Enterprise philosophy, creating shared value for growers, employees, customers, and communities
• The integration of sustainability principles across business operations
• A strong people-focused culture that supports opportunity, wellbeing, and personal development
• Ongoing environmental stewardship, including action to reduce carbon emissions and strengthen climate resilience
• A commitment to making the world a better place through responsible business

Blue Skies’ recent Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) validation further demonstrates its dedication to credible climate action as part of its broader sustainability strategy.

A Proud Moment for Blue Skies

This latest achievement recognises decades of commitment from teams across the entire Blue Skies business.

Hugh Pile, CEO of Blue Skies said: “This award is a tremendous honour for Blue Skies and a proud moment for everyone across our global business. It recognises not only our sustainability achievements, but the very foundations of who we are – a business that exists to create lasting positive impact through the way we operate.

Our value-adding at source model, our people, our culture, and our commitment to embedding sustainability throughout the business are what make Blue Skies unique. This achievement belongs to every colleague who contributes to making Blue Skies a force for good.”

Looking Ahead

Blue Skies will formally receive the award later this year from His Majesty’s representative, with further celebrations planned across the business.

As Blue Skies continues to grow, this recognition serves as both a celebration of past achievements and a powerful reminder of the company’s mission to continue leading through sustainable, responsible business.

About Blue Skies

Blue Skies is an international fresh-cut fruit business headquartered in Northamptonshire, UK. The company operates with a unique value-adding at source model, preparing fresh fruit products in the countries where fruit is grown, including Ghana, Egypt, South Africa, Benin, Brazil, and the UK. Employing nearly 10,000 people globally, Blue Skies is committed to delivering fresh, high-quality produce while creating meaningful social, environmental, and economic benefits through business.

For further information please visit our website at www.blueskies.com