2025 Finalists - The English Soap Company
We’re excited to celebrate The English Soap Company, who are finalists in not just one but two categories at this year’s Gift of the Year Awards. Their Anniversary Collection Seaweed Fragrance is recognised in the Made in the UK category, while their Kew Gardens Triple Soap Gift Boxes have earned a spot in the Beauty, Bath & Spa category. In this blog, we catch up with Managing Director Oliver Butts to find out more about the inspiration behind the Anniversary Collection, the journey to becoming a finalist, and what this recognition means to the team.
Congratulations on being a finalist! How does it feel to be recognised in this year’s Gift of the Year awards?
It’s a great honour to be recognised at this year’s Gift of the Year Awards. As a brand, we are incredibly proud of this range of products, and for that to be recognised is a true triumph.
Can you tell us a little about your brand and the inspiration behind your successful product?
The English Soap Company was founded with a clear mission: to create beautiful, high-quality soap bars that are gentle on the skin, infused with exquisite fragrances, and beautifully packaged. Our inspiration came from a love of vintage design, English heritage, and a passion for craftsmanship. What began as a kitchen experiment using a soap-making book soon grew into a thriving family business.
Constantly evolving 25 years on, Ocean Seaweed is now one of our best-selling soaps within the Anniversary Collection. To honour its success, we introduced a matching hand cream and a hand and body wash. The Anniversary Collection is one of our most beloved ranges, with all its designs including Ocean Seaweed inspired by nature’s beauty and the wildlife around us.
What makes your product special, and why do you think it stood out to the judges?
Our Ocean Seaweed trio from the Anniversary Collection stands out for its thoughtful combination of quality, sustainability, and striking design celebrating the best of British craftsmanship. Each product in the set, including a luxury soap, hand cream, and hand and body wash, is made at our Sussex-based factory using the finest ingredients, with every step of the process carried out in-house to ensure exceptional quality and consistency.
What truly sets this range apart is its beautifully illustrated packaging, featuring a charming sea turtle that captures the attention of customers and brings a touch of coastal serenity to bathrooms and kitchen basins alike. It’s more than just a product it’s a decorative piece that elevates everyday rituals, offering a sensory escape with its fresh, marine-inspired fragrance.
We believe it stood out to the judges because it perfectly embodies what it means to be Made in the UK: expertly crafted, responsibly produced, and designed with both beauty and practicality in mind.
Who is your product designed for, and what kind of reaction have you had from customers so far?
We designed this product with purpose. Our Ocean Seaweed Soap was already a strong seller, so expanding the range to include a hand cream and a hand and body wash allowed us not only to extend the product line, but also to refresh the packaging making it an even stronger performer than before.
With its seaside-inspired design and charming turtle illustration, we knew it would resonate particularly well in coastal towns and with customers who have a passion for marine life and wildlife in general. The range has also been well received by eco-conscious shoppers. Our soaps are wrapped in biodegradable paper, our hand and body wash bottles are made from PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic, and our hand cream tubes are widely recyclable making the collection as sustainable as it is beautiful.
What trends or themes do you think are shaping the gifting industry right now?
Whilst sustainability has been at the heart of everything we do for many years, the eco-conscious customer is more prominent than ever. Across our collections, we create products that don’t require additional wrapping and provide customers with gifts they can confidently give to loved ones and families. With hard bar soap being the bread and butter of our business, our much-loved soap creates zero waste in the bathroom making it a thoughtful and sustainable gift.
How has being shortlisted, and now being a finalist impacted your brand so far, and what do you hope to achieve from the awards?
Being shortlisted and now becoming a finalist has been such an exciting moment for us. It’s not only given our team a real boost, but it’s also been a lovely reminder that the care and craft we put into everything we do doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s helped shine a light on our values, our commitment to quality, and the people behind the scenes who make it all happen.
We’re hoping the awards will help us connect with a wider audience who share our love for beautifully made products. More than anything, it’s a chance to share our story, celebrate how far we’ve come, and feel inspired to keep growing sustainably, thoughtfully, while staying true to who we are.
What exciting plans do you have for the future?
There are lots of exciting things in the pipeline. We’re constantly exploring new fragrances, trends, and product developments. We’re fortunate to have both our NPD and Creative teams in-house, which means there’s always a fresh idea bubbling to the surface.
What’s the best gift you’ve ever received (or given), and why?
With a little help from my wife, the best gift I’ve ever given was a hamper of small items I put together for a friend who was going through a tough time. Each item was chosen with care; a cosy pair of socks, a candle, some handmade chocolate, a little journal, and a few pampering treats.
I always try to support independent shops, especially ones we’re stocked in. I find the products they offer are made with such care and attention to detail, and they always feel more meaningful. There’s something really special about giving a gift that someone has clearly put thought into creating.
Making these sorts of gifts can remind us how powerful small gestures can be, especially when they come from the heart.
Thank you to Oliver and the team at The English Soap Company for sharing their story with us. It's clear that the Anniversary Seaweed Trio is a beautiful blend of tradition, innovation, and heart — a perfect example of why they're so deserving of their finalist spot. We can’t wait to see what’s next for this inspiring brand as they continue to grow, create, and champion sustainable gifting. Best of luck at the Gift of the Year Awards!
Learn more anout the Anniversary Collection and the Kew Gardens Triple Soap Gift Boxes in the GOTY Final or visit The English Soap Company.
