Rainbow Productions receives the King’s Award for Enterprise

The company which brings world-famous characters such as Peppa Pig, Bluey and the PAW Patrol team to family attractions, festivals and events worldwide is honoured for its success in generating international trade.

Ever wondered who supplies the costumes and performers for special appearances by The Gruffalo, Minions or Teletubbies? And who designed your football team’s match day mascot?

Chances are it’s Rainbow Productions, a UK company known around the world for manufacturing bespoke mascot costumes and organising the appearances of world-famous children’s characters at live events.

That leadership has now been recognised by royalty. Rainbow Productions is the recipient of the King's Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2025.

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 by recognising outstanding UK businesses.

Personally approved by His Majesty The King, Rainbow Productions won its Award in recognition of its international trade success – in particular its outstanding short-term growth in overseas sales over the past three years. It has added thirteen new markets since 2022 – and its overseas sales have grown by 106%.

From its specialist facilities headquartered in southwest London the company now operates in an incredible 65 countries globally.

Nowadays mascots are ubiquitous and an intrinsic part of the visual marketing mix – and Rainbow was well ahead of the curve when it first addressed this market some 40 years ago. Today it's unique in offering a complete mascot manufacture, wardrobe and costume character events management service and is the first choice of many brand owners to bring their characters to live events.

The company annually produces over 1,000 unique, hand-made costume character mascots for the TV, film, sports, brand and leisure industries throughout the world.

A brief list includes mascots for major international football teams like Juventus and Barcelona; brand characters for Kelloggs and Mondelez; character appearances for worldwide film premiers like Sonic the Hedgehog™ and Paddington™; and costume characters for globally recognised attractions including Peppa Pig World, Alton Towers Resort and LEGOLAND® Resorts worldwide.

Its latest export success is supplying costume characters for COTALAND — a brand-new theme park located alongside North America’s only permanent Formula 1 racetrack in Orlando, Florida.

Supplying character costumes may sound straightforward – but it’s not. The scale of Rainbow Productions’ operation is formidable. Rainbow operates from four purposely designed units and employs over 30 full-time members of staff and 90 freelance makers. It also supplies approximately 250 mascot artistes, all skilfully trained to physicalise the emotions and characteristics of any given character. Accurate personalities and signature movements are essential parts of the Rainbow costume character service.

But that’s not all. Rainbow is continually investing in new innovative technology such as 3D printers and digital patterning, as well as hiring and training the creative and highly skilled staff that have helped the company to maintain a long-term global competitive edge.

This dedication to quality and detail has given Rainbow a major international presence and an important role in numerous world-famous attractions and spectacular events such as the Queen’s Jubilee Pageant Parade and the Olympic Games Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Most recently the company became the Global Licensee for Hasbro, making Rainbow Productions the sole Peppa Pig costume character manufacturer for all territories worldwide.

Rainbow Productions is thrilled that its work has been recognised. Managing Director, Simon Foulkes, told That's Business: “A Rainbow mascot is widely regarded as the gold standard within the industry and the company prides itself on putting innovation, quality and sustainability at the heart of each and every project.”

He adds: “The King’s Awards for Enterprise are the most prestigious business awards in the UK. This award provides Rainbow with a global competitive acknowledgement that will allow the company to boost UK business and remain at the forefront of worldwide costume character industry.”

https://rainbowproductions.co.uk

Trading Abroad Will Help Boost UK Business

Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) are being urged to take advantage of the opportunities available to them to get trading and look at potential new markets abroad.
Speaking to business leaders in Cambridge at the Going Global: Helping small businesses trade abroad conference today - Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk encouraged entrepreneurs to get trading and help boost the UK economy.

Business and Enterprise Minister Mark Prisk said: "Giving businesses the confidence to trade abroad is vital to help boost growth in the economy. UK Export Finance is supporting SMEs by introducing a range of financial support for businesses that want to export but can't obtain the finance they need through the normal commercial routes.

"We are also helping businesses to protect their intellectual property abroad by introducing an online register of advisors as well as placing our first international attaché in China to help UK businesses with enforcement issues. With support from UKTI we will give entrepreneurs the confidence to explore new markets and grow their business."

The conference was hosted by Vice Chairman of the European Parliament's International Trade Committee Robert Sturdy MEP.

Cutting-edge fashion designers and heritage brands win prestigious export awards

The Banqueting House in Whitehall played host today to the 25th annual UK Fashion & Textile Export Awards where “print master” Mary Katrantzou was named winner of the designer business category and heritage brand Johnstons of Elgin, which has been producing fine cashmere and woollens since 1797,claimed the Gold Award, sponsored by HSBC.

“The past 25 years have shown a boom for fashion and the wider creative industries driven by global demand for UK creative talent. From heritage brands to the high street powerhouses, British style is sought after for its bravery, irreverence and innovation,” said Ed Vaizey MP, Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries

“The eyes of the world will be on the UK next year as we deliver the 2012 Olympics. This is our chance to show that Britain is the leading force in the global creative economy, and this year’s UK Fashion & Textile Export Awards are a timely reminder of how central the fashion industry and fashion exports are to this ambition.”

UK designers export two-thirds of the clothing that they produce and the UK footwear industry sells over 90% of its production around the world.

“Most fashion designers have to look at exports very early on in the lifetime of their company,” points out Paul Alger, director of international affairs at UKFT,the UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT), the event’s organisers.

“Today, international buyers, in particular, are searching for collections that combine creativity with a heritage status; if they are also made in the UK, they are even more in demand," he added.

According to brand expert Allyson Stewart-Allen, founder International Marketing Partners, there has been a “resurgence in popularity for British-made heritage brands”, particularly in the US - the second largest market for fashion exports after Europe - as they are “synonymous with quality, luxury and craftsmanship”.

“Successful British fashion exporters are companies that recognise the elements that enable their brands to travel well - adapting to suit local markets if necessary,” commented Stewart-Allen.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the competition and entries reached a record level. More than 300 industry guests attended the awards lunch at which the trophies were presented by HRH The Princess Royal, president of UKFT, and hosted by TV’s Claudia Winkleman.

Among the guests were Vogue editor Alexandra Shulman, British Fashion Council chairman Harold Tillman and Dragons’ Den investor Deborah Meaden, owner of Fox Bros, the UK manufacturer behind the West of England tweed brand.

Other winners were:

Young company Butterfly Twists, which has enjoyed huge international growth in recent months with its stylish, practical ballet pumps, won the New Exporter trophy, sponsored by DHL Express.

Yorkshire-born designer Karl Donoghue was recognised for his collections that use the finest shearlings, leathers and furs and took the Great Brit award.

Brand of the Year was awarded to UK street wear giant Boxfresh, which looks set to become a household name nationwide, with new fans in Europe and Asia.

Young British fashion designer, Christopher Raeburn whose collection is made from reappropriated military fabrics collected the Rising Star category for his meteoric success in exports.

Creator of high-end luxurious woven accessories Alex Begg & Co is constantly pushing the boundaries to create original products and was the recipient of the Textiles award.

Winner of the Retailer/E-tailer category was ASOS, the UK’s largest online-only fashion and beauty store which has launched to shoppers worldwide in the past year.

FACTFILE:
About UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT)
www.ukft.org

On the export side, UKFT offers practical The UK Fashion & Textile Association (UKFT) is the umbrella organisation that represents the fashion and textile sector both domestically and overseas. Its members include major suppliers to high street retailers and brands.

The sector employs 141,000 people, contributes £8.6n to the UK economy (factory gate prices) with retail sales valued at £50bn.