BPIA member support in action: helping British Baby Box pursue the King's Awards

At the Baby Products Industry Association (BPIA), we are committed to helping our members access opportunities that support growth, innovation and industry recognition. One of the newest services available through the BPIA is specialist grants, funding and awards support, led by our new Grants Officer, Jennifer Lake.

Jennifer's role is to help members identify suitable funding opportunities,

navigate complex application processes and maximise their chances of success. Her first major project has been supporting BPIA member British Baby Box with its application for the prestigious King's Awards for Innovation and Enterprise 2026/27.

The King's Awards for Innovation and Enterprise represent one of the UK's highest honours for business achievement. Applications opened on 6 May 2026 and closed on 8 September 2026, with a rigorous assessment process that includes due diligence, shortlisting and evaluation before successful businesses are announced the following spring.

British Baby Box submitted applications in two categories: Innovation and Promoting Opportunity through Social Mobility. During the application process, Jennifer worked closely with founders Susan Purse and Sarah Simons to develop comprehensive submissions that highlighted both the company's innovation and its significant social impact.

"Working with British Baby Box was a genuinely inspiring experience," said Jennifer. "Their commitment to supporting displaced families and those experiencing acute social need makes their story particularly powerful. The social impact generated through their products and programmes is remarkable, and it was a privilege to help showcase that within the application."

Award submissions of this calibre are highly detailed and can require between 20 and 30 hours of preparation, research and writing. Jennifer supported the business throughout the entire process, conducting in-depth meetings with the team, reviewing business plans, researching market trends and gathering evidence to build a compelling and robust application.

The support provided extended far beyond simply reviewing paperwork. Jennifer maintained regular contact throughout the summer, helping refine key messages, advising on award criteria and ensuring the application reflected the full strength of the business. As the deadline approached, communication became even more frequent, with daily collaboration to finalise submissions and address any last-minute issues.

The value of this support became particularly apparent when technical challenges arose during the final stages of submission and a significant section of written content failed to save. Jennifer worked alongside the team to recreate the material and ensure the application was successfully completed before the deadline.

Reflecting on the experience, Jennifer praised British Baby Box for its collaboration and dedication throughout the process. "Susan and Sarah were fantastic to work with. Their passion for helping families shines through everything they do, and it was wonderful to support them on this journey."

Sarah Simons comments: “Working with Jennifer was an absolute delight. She was incredibly supportive, knowledgeable and her personality is infectious. This process also proved such a valuable membership benefit for British Baby Box, and we highly recommend Jennifer's services and being a member of BPIA”.

The King's Awards process will now progress through a period of due diligence and assessment, with successful applicants expected to be notified during March and April 2027. Winners will subsequently be announced in The Gazette and invited to attend a Royal Reception, before receiving their award from their local Lord-Lieutenant.

This case study demonstrates how BPIA membership delivers practical, expert support that can make a real difference to businesses seeking funding, grants and national recognition. Through Jennifer's specialist guidance, members can access professional assistance that helps turn opportunities into successful applications, allowing them to focus on what they do best: creating products and services that support families across the UK.

If you are a BPIA member and would like support identifying or applying for grants, funding schemes or business awards, Jennifer Lake is here to help. Contact us at info@bpia.co.uk – for more information about joining the BPIA visit www.bpia.co.uk