Little Soap Company, based in Worcestershire, has been honoured with a 2026 King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development.

Just 185 organisations have been recognised nationally this year, making it one of the most coveted accolades in British business.

The award recognises the company’s outstanding and whole-business commitment to sustainable development.

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King Charles III. (Image: PA)

This is a principle that has guided founder Emma Heathcote-James, who began hand-crafting soaps in her Cotswold cottage in 2008.

Emma’s founding ambition was to make pure, natural soap, free from synthetic ingredients, hidden chemicals and plastic excess, genuinely accessible to everyday consumers, at everyday prices.

At a time when organic and natural soap simply wasn’t available on supermarket shelves, Little Soap Company became the first organic soap to reach mainstream UK retail, setting a new category standard.

“As a British business supporting UK manufacturing, jobs and communities, receiving a King’s Award for Enterprise is a real honour, especially following our Queen’s Award for Innovation in 2022,” said Emma.

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Emma Heathcote-James, founder of Little Soap Company​. (Image: Little Soap Company​)

“We are incredibly proud of our team; their dedication and passion have taken my idea from a kitchen table start-up to a nationally recognised brand leading the way in sustainable soap, proving that sustainability doesn’t have to mean compromising on quality and can be accessible for every budget.

“Sustainability isn’t just about the products, but the team too. It’s embedded in how we work, how we hire, and how we make decisions every day.

“This award shows that a small UK business can drive large-scale environmental change through everyday products.

“Our mission doesn’t stop here. This award strengthens our commitment to educating consumers and driving positive change across the whole industry.”

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Little Soap Company​ products. (Image: Little Soap Company​)

Today, the company’s ranges, Organics, Naturals, Eco Warrior and Little Beast, are stocked by Waitrose, Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Boots and all the online giants. Little Soap Company is now a multi-million-pound UK business, selling one bar every 30 seconds, demonstrating that sustainability can drive commercial growth.

Every product the company manufactures is plant-based, vegan certified, cruelty-free and made in Britain.

Packaging across the range is 100 per cent recycled and recyclable, using FSC-certified cardboard and 100 per cent post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic where bottles are used.

Fragrance comes exclusively from pure essential oils, with no synthetic additives, and Little Soap Company is also removing plastic from bathrooms.

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Emma Heathcote-James, founder of Little Soap Company​. (Image: Little Soap Company​)

The company’s Eco Warrior range alone has avoided over 22.5 million plastic bottles to date from the supply chain, and saved more than 20 million litres of water in consumer use.

Each soap bar lasts up to six times longer than a liquid equivalent and can replace four to five plastic bottles.

The company’s liquid soap ranges, which represent just three per cent of its product portfolio, are made exclusively with Prevented Ocean Plastic certified bottles and are positioned as a transition product to gradually encourage consumers to switch to bars.

A 2030 Zero-Plastic plan is in place to eliminate plastic from the supply chain entirely.

EY research shows 74% of UK consumers have used artificial intelligence in the past six months, even as trust and governance concerns rise.

The findings are based on a survey of 15,000 people across 15 countries, including 1,000 in the UK, and suggest AI is becoming part of everyday consumer and workplace activity. In Britain, respondents reported using AI for customer support, route planning, health-related information, research, content generation and decision support.

Use in everyday services appears to be expanding faster than comfort with more autonomous systems. While nearly three-quarters of UK respondents said they had used AI recently, only 14% said they would be comfortable relying on fully autonomous, agent-led AI.

The gap suggests consumers are more comfortable with AI that assists than with AI that acts independently. People want greater control, accountability and transparency when systems make decisions or take actions on their behalf.

Trust in the institutions handling AI data remains limited. Some 43% of UK respondents said they trust companies to manage AI-related data effectively, while 41% said the same of governments.

Frequent users were not necessarily more reassured by the technology. Scepticism was often highest among educated white-collar workers who use AI regularly, suggesting familiarity with the tools may sharpen concerns rather than reduce them.

Trust gap

Cyber security emerged as one of the clearest pressure points. About 73% of UK respondents said they were concerned about AI systems being hacked or breached, underlining how closely confidence in AI is tied to security and oversight.

At the same time, respondents showed a willingness to use AI where the benefits were clear. UK consumers were most comfortable adopting AI in practical settings, especially where it could improve response times, reliability or value for money.

Some 59% cited improved response times as a reason for being comfortable with AI use, while 52% pointed to better value and 35% to reliability. The results suggest many users judge AI less by novelty than by visible outcomes.

Use in more sensitive sectors was also evident, though often with an emphasis on safeguards. Half of UK respondents said they had consciously used AI as part of a health or wellness experience in the past six months, while 35% had used it in financial activities, where privacy and consistency are likely to carry greater weight.

Matthew Ringelheim, EY UK and Ireland AI Leader, said: “AI adoption in the UK is rapidly advancing, but trust is not keeping pace with technological capability. Whilst consumers are engaging with AI every day, many still want greater clarity about who is accountable when decisions are made on their behalf.

“This is a critical moment for organisations. As AI systems become more autonomous, trust must be embedded through strong data foundations, clear accountability and visible human oversight. Our research shows UK users want greater control and transparency, reinforcing the need to move beyond AI adoption for its own sake. Organisations that can clearly demonstrate how autonomy is governed, and how people retain meaningful control, will be best positioned to scale AI responsibly and unlock long-term value.”

Skills question

The survey also highlighted a shortage of training. Only 23% of respondents said they had received significant training or education in AI, suggesting many users are engaging with the technology with little formal guidance.

That matters because training appears linked to confidence as well as practical use. A better understanding of how systems work, where they can go wrong and when human judgement is needed could help address some of the unease captured in the survey.

The findings point to a more cautious stage in AI adoption in the UK. Consumers continue to use AI across a widening range of tasks, but they are drawing firmer lines around where automation should stop and where human oversight should remain visible.

For businesses, that leaves a mixed picture. Demand for AI tools and services is clearly established, yet broader acceptance of more autonomous forms of AI may depend on whether organisations can show that systems are secure, decisions are accountable and users can intervene when needed.

Ringelheim said: “Alongside trust, skills development plays a critical role in successful AI adoption. As AI tools become more capable, people will need greater confidence in how they’re used at work and clearer, practical guidance on how to use them responsibly. Training also better equips users to spot errors, challenge outputs and make more informed decisions about when to rely on AI and when to apply human judgement. Workforce confidence – built through the right skills – will be decisive in turning AI momentum into long-term growth for the UK.”

The major UK restaurant chain operates 44 sites across the UK, but has none in Oxfordshire after Oxford’s Park End Street eatery closed back in June 2017.

Las Iguanas, owned by Iguanas Holdings Ltd, a subsidiary of Big Table Group, has confirmed that it has submitted an application to the Court to launch a restructuring plan of Iguanas Holdings Ltd.

This is amid the company “drowning” in debts of £37,000,000, according to a report in The Sun today (Wednesday, May 6).

A statement from the group said: “Over the past few years, the UK’s wet‑led, casual dining sector has faced well‑documented challenges, including reduced alcohol spend, lower consumer confidence, and younger guests shifting their eating‑out choices.

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“These pressures have been compounded by government policies that have had a severe impact on the hospitality industry.

“This has been reflected across the market, with several operators reporting significant financial challenges in recent months.

“Las Iguanas have been working with advisors (Teneo) to explore the full range of strategic options for the brand.

“This review concluded that a targeted restructuring plan represented the most suitable route to securing the future of the brand.

“The restructuring plan is a legal process which, if approved, allows for rent reductions across relevant sites for a three-year period.”

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It is noted that The Big Table Group is the dining brand behind several other high street names, including Frankie & Benny’s, Bella Italia, and Banana Tree.

Although there are no Las Iguanas in Oxfordshire, several of these other brands can be found in the county.

There is a Frankie & Benny’s and a Banana Tree in Oxford, while Bella Italia can be found in the city as well as in Witney.

With this in mind, this newspaper contacted The Big Table Group to enquire whether these brands are also in danger of closing.

A statement from the firm said: “The restructuring plan relates solely to Iguanas Holdings Ltd, the legal entity that carries the Las Iguanas brand’s property leases and related costs.

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“It does not include The Big Table Group business, nor its suppliers, its employees or any of the group’s other brands.”

Chief executive Alan Morgan echoed this with his recent statement, which said: “Las Iguanas has been part of the UK’s hospitality landscape for more than 30 years.

“This plan is about reinforcing the brand’s long-term sustainability in a part of the market that has been, and continues to be, impacted by negative market trends and incredibly poor government decisions.

“This process does not include any other part of The Big Table Group business.

“All Las Iguanas restaurants continue to operate as normal, and I thank the teams for their continued hard work and dedication.”