A historic family-run estate in Northamptonshire has been honoured with the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development. The prestigious award recognises the team’s outstanding commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the local community.
Dr Johnny Wake, managing partner of Courteenhall, says: 'The land has been managed in the family for over 350 years. We are only its custodians. Our job is to leave it in a better place for the next generations. This isn’t just any award to us – it carries huge credibility and exclusivity. We didn’t remotely take for granted that we’d get it, and it means the world to me that we did.'
The estate manages around 2,000 acres of land using regenerative farming methods to help the soil stay healthy. These green practices include planting diverse crops and growing special plants between harvests to naturally enrich the ground.
The team has set a target to reach net zero by 2030 by planting new woodlands and restoring miles of hedgerows. Courteenhall has proven that looking after the land can go hand-in-hand with running a successful business.
Dr Wake says: 'This award is recognition of what our team has done in setting the vision and then all working our socks off to travel there.'
The estate also supports local children through the New Leaf Learning charity, which uses nature to help pupils who struggle in the classroom. By partnering with the West Northamptonshire Good Food Plan, the farm is helping to build a healthier food system for everyone in the county. A new farm shop and restaurant called The Knot is set to open in 2027 to bring locally produced food directly to the community.
Dr Wake sees the award as a platform for what comes next: 'We are not remotely the finished article and still have huge amounts of work to do. We want to really engage our local community with locally produced healthy food and lifestyles. This award helps us demonstrate to the public that we are credible and serious.'
He adds: 'I hope this gives ideas as to some ways of combining farming, community and financial resilience in a sustainable way.'
