An international tea business based in Chandler’s Ford has received The King’s Award for Enterprise for its sustainable development programmes.

Ahmad Tea has been selected to receive the honour for its philanthropic work in the community, with the company long having supported good causes since its inception in 1986, frequently giving away up to 20 per cent of its profits to charity.

The business is one of 252 organisations nationally to be recognised with a King’s Award for Enterprise in 2024.

Locally, Ahmad Tea has supported the likes of Southampton General Hospital, Guide Dogs for the Blind Association, Stroke Association, and Alzheimer’s Society.

They’ve also aided Parklife Community action café, Macmillan Cancer Support, Make a Wish Foundation and the Murray Parish Trust which fundraises for the Southampton Paediatric unit.

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Globally, the company gives back to the places it sources its tea, financing and building a cancer hospital in Sri Lanka, supporting women in tea gardens of Assam and Kenya with nutrition and health programmes and is an active member of the Ethical Tea Partnership.

For over a decade it has been partnering with Oxfam to develop a clean water programme across rural Niger; a country severely affected by drought and climate change.

Not only that but by collaborating with a network of international distributors, Ahmad Tea match-funds any charity or sustainable initiatives undertaken by their partners abroad.

Ebraham Afshar, Managing Director of Ahmad Tea said: “As a company, giving back is part of our DNA so being recognised in such a prestigious way is a dream come true.

“We try to make a difference in all of the markets where we source, pack and sell our tea and we owe so much to so many people in our supply chain, for their support.

“For example, building Razavi Cancer Hospital in Sri Lanka was our way of thanking our supporters in the country over the years.”

He added: “I would like to dedicate this award to our staff and partners who work tirelessly to support projects like these.

“The incredible impact would have not been possible without their determination to make a difference.”