Reflecting on the King’s Award

On 1 October 2026, we welcomed Colonel Dominic Reid OBE DL, representing the Greater London Lieutenancy, to our London office to formally present the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade to Group Chief Executive Craig Marshall and myself.

The award recognises the firm’s continued success in international trade, as well as the important role it plays in helping overseas businesses invest in and navigate the UK market.

The presentation gave us the opportunity to reflect on our approach, as well as best practice in international trade more broadly. We learned that:

• Company culture matters. A workplace that recognises individual contribution, balanced with teamwork and shared values, creates a culture of trust that runs throughout the firm and informs its services. It promotes closer collaboration, unites colleagues behind a common goal, and helps attract and retain the talent clients expect. We’re proud that our culture is built on inclusion, flexibility and recognition, supported by colleague networks, hybrid working, reward programmes, and opportunities to give back to communities through charitable and volunteering initiatives.
• ESG remains a boardroom discussion. Regulatory requirements, such as carbon reporting, are just one reason why ESG remains at the heart of businesses' strategies. Another, perhaps even more significant factor, is evolving social expectations. Customers and clients are increasingly scrutinising brands when deciding who to work with or buy from, and are keen to choose organisations whose values align with their own. We champion ESG through our Responsible Business strategy, combining net-zero commitments, ethical governance, diversity and inclusion, responsible procurement, and community impact to create sustainable value for clients, colleagues and society.
• There's more to good business than making money. Businesses have a part to play in creating a responsible connection with society. International trade goes a long way towards this: forming relationships, sharing knowledge, and fostering collaboration, understanding and shared success across the global community. Irwin Mitchell has a number of initiatives that bring this commitment to life, including free learning resources such as our seminars and thought leadership, as well as our partnership with Crisis, the national charity for people experiencing homelessness.
• The future of international trade… will be shaped by geopolitical realignment, supply chain diversification, digitalisation, sustainability and increasing cross-border investment. As businesses and high-net-worth individuals operate across multiple jurisdictions, demand for coordinated legal and advisory support will continue to grow. We’re well aligned to these trends through our focus on inbound investment, international private wealth, cross-border disputes, relocation, and referral-led global networks, helping clients navigate increasingly complex international opportunities and risks. The broader trade environment is also being reshaped by digital trade growth, supply chain resilience and changing global trade corridors.

Receiving the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade is a significant milestone for Irwin Mitchell, but it is also an opportunity to look ahead. As businesses operate in an increasingly connected global economy, the need for trusted legal advisers who can help navigate cross-border opportunities and challenges will continue to grow.

Through our international networks, specialist market-focused teams and commitment to building strong relationships across jurisdictions, we remain focused on helping clients achieve their ambitions wherever they do business. 

The award recognises what we have achieved so far, but it also reinforces our determination to support international trade, collaboration and investment for years to come.

Read more about Foreign Direct Investment and the opportunities available across the UK.