Vita Liberata wins Queen’s Award for international trade

Self-tan and skincare brand Vita Liberata has won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in international trade, in recognition of its overseas sales growth.

The company grew its international sales by more than 400% between 2011 and 2013, while tripling its headcount. The brand is now sold in more 20 countries worldwide.

In 2012 Vita Liberata received investment from Irish private equity group Broadlake Capital to fuel its growth. In 2013, it established operations in the US, which now accounts for 30% of its overseas sales.  

Founder and chief executive Alyson Hogg, who established Vita Liberata in 2003, said: “The Queen’s Award is a recognition of the dynamic, creative, tenacious and incredibly smart team of (mostly) young women that work with us across 24 time zones and as many countries. It is even more remarkable when you consider that operations are run from the company’s global headquarters in the small market town of Ballyclare in Northern Ireland.”

Vita Liberata is one of 110 UK companies to be recognised with a Queen’s Award for international trade this year.

Winners are presented with a crystal bowl and are invited to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace in July. They can use the Queen's Award logo on packaging and in marketing for five years.