Dr.PAWPAW wins King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade

British beauty brand Dr.PAWPAW has been honoured with a King’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade, a prestigious accolade recognising outstanding UK businesses.

The brand is one of 197 organisations nationally to receive the honour in 2025, approved by His Majesty The King on the Prime Minister’s recommendation.

Australian-born Pauline Paterson co-founded Dr.PAWPAW with her husband Johnny in 2013 after realising the UK didn't import pawpaw-infused skincare products. The everyday ingredient, which floods store shelves across the pond, has skin-healing properties that helped manage Pauline and Johnny's daughter's eczema.

The pawpaw fruit, which originates in North America, boasts similar skin-healing and hydrating benefits to Aloe Vera. In 2013, the couple decided to make their own pawpaw balm, which has evolved over the past decade. Now, the brand is on its way to becoming a household name with a full range of affordable skin and hair care products.

Since then, Dr.PAWPAW has grown into Europe’s top-selling PAWPAW balm and now operates in 20 countries worldwide. The company has also secured more than 40 global beauty awards and boasts a strong following among makeup artists and celebrities alike.

Pauline Paterson, Co-Founder of Dr.PAWPAW, said: "Johnny and I are absolutely delighted to be recognised by the King’s Awards.

"Since we started the business in 2013, it was our dream to take a British brand all over the world and bring fun, natural and vegan products to the masses at an affordable price. We are a totally inclusive brand and to get this recognition at this stage really means the world to us. We will fly this award as high as we can."

Johnny Paterson, Co-Founder of Dr.PAWPAW, added: "Both Pauline and I are UK Government Export Champions, and this achievement for International Trade once again celebrates the great work we’ve done with export since launching the business. We are now reaching customers all around the world, and winning the King’s Awards for Enterprise for International Trade celebrates the dedication and resilience that have driven our international success.”

The King’s Awards for Enterprise — formerly known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise — was renamed in 2023 to continue the legacy of HM Queen Elizabeth II and reflect the commitment of The King to celebrate outstanding UK businesses. Now in their 59th year, the awards are the most prestigious of their kind, with recipients entitled to use the King’s Awards emblem for five years.

Read 'The Interview: Dr.PAWPAW's Pauline Paterson on bringing Australian skin-healing superfoods to British skincare' to learn more here.