Three North Yorkshire businesses have been honoured with the 2026 King’s Awards for Enterprise.
The awards, now in their 60th year, are the UK’s most prestigious business awards, recognising outstanding achievement in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity.
They celebrate organisations that demonstrate excellence, growth and a positive impact locally and globally.
C-Kore Systems – Winners of the King’s Award for Enterprise category: Innovation
The King’s Award recognises C‑Kore Systems for its achievements in pioneering optical fibre testing for subsea systems, showcasing C‑Kore Systems innovative technology and the strength of their North Yorkshire team.
This marks the fourth time in just over seven years that their forward-thinking approach and global success have been honoured through these prestigious awards.
Techbuyer - Winners of the King’s Award for Enterprise category: Sustainability
Founded in 2005 in Harrogate, Techbuyer began as a small operation. Over the past two decades they have grown into a global supplier of sustainable IT solutions, operating across the UK, Europe and Australia.
By providing high-quality refurbished technology, the Harrogate-based firm is reducing environmental impact while maintaining performance, demonstrating that sustainability and commercial success can go hand in hand.
Having won the award for a second time, Techbuyer CEO Steve Sexton said:
"We're incredibly proud to receive the King’s Award for Enterprise, particularly for Sustainable Development - a core aspect of our business. This recognition reflects the commitment, expertise and values of our company and team, as well as the impact that our circular IT model delivers - reducing the impact of IT on our environment, without compromising on performance, efficiency or reliability. It reinforces our belief that sustainability and commercial success must go hand in hand".
Ardent Limited Winners of the King’s Award for Enterprise category: International Trade
For the second time, following a previous win in 2012, this award recognises Ardent’s continued global delivery of fire suppression and safety systems, reinforcing its position as a leader in UK exports and a champion of British engineering on the world stage.
From its base in Roecliffe, North Yorkshire, Ardent has built a strong international presence by focusing on safety, reliability, and meeting the complex requirements of critical industries worldwide. Delivering fire suppression and safety systems across transport, heavy plant, and infrastructure applications, the business supports customers operating in high-risk environments where protecting people, assets, and operations is essential.
With solutions deployed internationally, Ardent continues to expand into new and evolving sectors, including EV infrastructure and industrial processing, while maintaining its commitment to engineering excellence and ongoing investment in its team and capabilities in North Yorkshire.
As a family-run business, Ardent combines long-term commitment with a forward-looking approach to innovation and growth, continuing to showcase what British engineering can achieve on a global stage.
Applications are now open for the 2027 King’s Award for Enterprise Awards. For further information and to apply for this prestigious award, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/kings-awards-for-enterprise
Application deadline: Tuesday 8 September 2026
