As the premium self-tan brand is awarded prestigious Queen’s Award for outstanding international trade.
The brand made BY women, FOR women, WITH women in mind
Belfast headquartered luxury self-tanning brand, Vita Liberata has been recognised with one of the UK’s most prestigious business awards – The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. This award is universally regarded as the UK’s highest accolade for international business success. As part of the independent judging process, Vita Liberata was commended for its outstanding overseas sales growth of over 400% between 2011 and 2013, whilst tripling its headcount and opening operations in the United States. Today Vita Liberata is sold in more 20 countries worldwide.
Vita Liberata is famous for its ground breaking skin chemistry, developing the unique pHeno2 technology that makes their pHenomenal range totally odourless and the world’s longest lasting. The Company uses only natural, certified organic and Ecocert ingredients that condition and nourish skin, making it the safest way to achieve the perfect tan for its consumers, and a favourite of A list celebrities worldwide.
In 2012 Vita Liberata secured investment from the Dublin headquartered private equity group Broadlake Capital in a multi-million pound deal that enabled the company to pursue its global aspiration. In 2013, Vita Liberata established operations in North America, catapulting its success to the U.S., which currently provides over 30 percent of the Group’s overseas sales.
Vita Liberata now sell to some of the most demanding beauty retailer partners in the world, including Sephora Europe and USA, QVC USA, benefit Cosmetics, and exclusive spa partners such as the 7 star Burj Al Arab in Dubai, Waldorf Astoria, Peninsula, Setai, Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton Groups.
Founder and CEO Alyson Hogg established Vita Liberata in 2003, with a desire to create innovative skincare and tanning that delivered natural, high quality results. Alyson’s entrepreneurial vision saw a gap in the marketplace for a luxury self-tanner combined with unique skincare benefits: pHenomenal, the world’s longest lasting, entirely odourless, tan was born.
Founder and CEO of Vita Liberata, Alyson Hogg comments:
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.
We have been fortunate to partner with some of the strongest retailers in our sector, who recognise both the amazing quality of our products, and the ability of our team to deliver on our joint goals. This Award recognises our team, our product and our determination to bring what we make to a world stage. It is a wonderful accolade. We are very proud indeed!
The Queen’s Award for Enterprise
The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise are the UK’s most prestigious business awards, given only to companies or individuals who are outstanding in their field.
Previously known as the Queen’s Awards for Industry, the first awards were given in 1966. Previous export focused, consumer goods brands that have won the Award include James Dyson Ltd, Dorset Cereals, Tyrells Crisps and Tangle Teezer hairbrushes. Previous Northern Ireland winners of the Queens Award for International Trade include Glen Dimplex, Powerscreen International and TG Eakin.
Winners are announced on 21st April, the Queen’s birthday each year, with each receiving a grant of appointment, a presentational item and an invitation from HM The Queen to a reception at Buckingham Palace on July 14th.
Congratulations to Alyson and all her team!
