WARRINGTON-based Stand Out Socks, a social enterprise co-founded by Stockton Heath brothers Christian and Ross Laing, has been honored with the King’s Award for Enterprise in the Promoting Opportunity category.
Announced today, May 6, the accolade marks a historic milestone for the business as the awards celebrate their 60th anniversary.
Founded in 2021, the business was inspired by Ross, who has Down syndrome and previously faced significant barriers to finding steady work.
Stand Out Socks aims to provide meaningful, paid employment for individuals with learning disabilities, placing them at the heart of operations including product development and fulfillment.
To date, the company has:
Provided over 2,000 paid working hours for its team.
Raised more than £35,000 for local and national charities.
Sold over 100,000 pairs of socks worldwide.
National Success and Royal Recognition
The company gained widespread national attention after appearing on Dragons’ Den in 2024, where they secured investment from Steven Bartlett and Peter Jones. Since then, the brand has expanded significantly, collaborating with major names such as Manchester United and launching its products in over 200 Tesco stores across the UK.
“This award belongs especially to the incredible individuals with learning disabilities who are at the very heart of everything we do,” the brothers said in a statement. “They are the reason we exist, and they are the reason we keep pushing forward”.
The King’s Award for Enterprise is considered the UK’s most prestigious business honor, with only 22 businesses nationwide recognized in the Promoting Opportunity category this year.
