A family-owned farming business from Somerset has been honoured with a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade.
Based in Exmoor National Park, Shearwell Data Limited was established in 1992 and is a leading global supplier of animal identification and livestock management systems. It provides a range of products and services designed to assist livestock farmers in managing their herds and flocks. The products are developed and manufactured in the UK, then rigorously tested on the family’s own farms to ensure quality, reliability and ease of use.
Shearwell Data is one of 197 organisations nationally to be awarded a prestigious King’s Award for Enterprise this year, announced on 6 May. The company was recognised for outstanding short-term growth. In the three years to September 2023, its total overseas sales grew by 69% to nearly £7million, representing almost a third of its annual turnover, with plans to further extend its export market reach over the coming years. Shearwell Data already exports to 35 countries and employs more than 150 people worldwide, with representatives in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States and South Africa.
To celebrate their success, the founder of Shearwell Data has been invited to attend a royal reception with His Majesty King Charles III in the summer. The award itself will be officially presented to the company later this year by His Majesty’s personal representative in the county, the Lord-Lieutenant of Somerset.
Richard Webber, farmer, founder and managing director of Shearwell Data, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, it’s a great compliment. It is a recognition of the hard work, determination and commitment from our staff and the support from our farming customers around the world. We had a vision and it has grown and evolved over the years!
“The Shearwell business has grown into a global business from very humble beginnings and a desire to provide farmers with the best quality products. Being farmers ourselves and having hands on experience, we understand the need for products and support farmers can trust. In truth, our business has grown because of the fact farmers know we aim to provide excellent customer service and support.
“Winning this prestigious award will boost our profile and reputation in the industry, helping us to grow the business further – but we pride ourselves in taking a personal approach with our customers and that won’t change. When farmers call in, they will always talk to one of the team, never a machine.”
The largest employer within the Exmoor National Park, Shearwell Data provides tools that enhance the speed and accuracy of animal identification, improve record-keeping for both management and statutory purposes, and promote livestock health and welfare. With industry-leading tag retention rates and excellent customer support, the company’s founding ethos was, and continues to be, ‘working to help the livestock farmer’.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, were renamed in 2023 to reflect His Majesty The King’s desire to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II’s by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme, now in its 59th year, is the most prestigious business award in the country, with successful businesses able to use the esteemed King’s Awards Emblem for the next five years.
