News / banking
Bristol-headquartered bank wins Royal seal of approval for sustainability
A banking group with its UK headquarters in Bristol has been awarded a top accolade for its commitment to sustainability.
Triodos Bank on Deanery Road has received the King’s Award for Enterprise under the Sustainable Development category, reinforcing its credentials as a leader in ethical and environmentally responsible banking.
The bank is no stranger to Royal recognition. This marks the fourth time it has received the honour, having previously won the Queen’s Award in 2004, 2010, and 2020. As it stands, Triodos remains the only bank to have secured the award this many times, distinguishing it within the financial services sector.
“At a time when it feels the world is scaling back on sustainability commitments, Triodos continues to be a global pioneer in ethical banking,” said Dr Bevis Watts, the outgoing chief executive at Triodos – photo: Triodos
Commenting on the achievement, Dr Bevis Watts, outgoing chief executive of Triodos Bank UK, said: “In the month I step down during my tenth year leading Triodos Bank UK, it’s a real honour for the bank to be recognised with the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development again.
“At a time when it feels the world is scaling back on sustainability commitments, Triodos continues to be a global pioneer in ethical banking—using the power of finance to support projects that benefit both people and the planet.”
The King’s Award for Sustainable Development recognises commercially successful products, services, and management approaches that deliver clear benefits for the environment, society and the economy.
This latest accolade strengthens Triodos’ profile as a banking group with a commitment to sustainability and transparency with its focus on supporting individuals and communities, while contributing to a more sustainable society through responsible lending.
Judges praised Triodos for advancing its sustainable practices since 2020 and described it as a “beacon for others”.
The King’s Awards for Enterprise, now in their 59th year, are widely regarded as one of UK’s most prestigious business honours, recognising outstanding achievements in innovation, international trade, sustainable development and promoting opportunity. Awardees may display the King’s Awards emblem for the next five years.
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The recognition comes as Triodos celebrates its 30th anniversary in the UK and launches a new national television campaign “Where you bank matters”. Dr Watts added: “As we launch a new national TV campaign, and in the year we celebrate our 30th anniversary, it is wonderful to be recognised in this way by His Majesty the King.
“The bank will continue on its mission to make money work for positive change in society—for the here and now, and for future generations.”
In addition to the King’s Award, Triodos was named ‘Global Good Finance Player’ of the Year in 2024, further cementing its leadership in sustainable finance.
Triodos Bank has its UK headquarters on Deanery Road – photo: Milan Perera
The bank recently supported one of the UK’s largest conservation finance deals, providing a £20.55m loan to Oxygen Conservation to acquire 23,000 acres of land in Scotland. The transaction is believed to represent the largest conservation-focused commercial debt package in the UK to date.
Main photo: Triodos
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