A jewellery company set up by a Fulham mum of four has been recognised with a prestigious business award from The Queen.
Merci Maman founder Beatrice de Montille is set to meet Her Majesty in July when she receives the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in person.
“We are so honoured to receive this award and to be recognised by The Queen for our International Trade strategy,” said French-born Béatrice, who set up the personalised jewellery company from her kitchen table in Heathmans Road a decade ago.
Now, Merci Maman - which translates as Thank you, Mum - employs 22 people in London, and another three in Paris.
The business stood out in The Queen’s Award for Enterprise because of its growth in overseas earnings from zero to almost 35 per cent in the space of three years.
And it’s not just its international popularity that has had an impressive upsurge: Merci Maman’s delicate silver, gold and rose gold designs have been spotted on a host of famous faces.
The Duchess of Cambridge wears a Merci Maman necklace engraved with her son Prince George’s name - which was given to her by her sister Pippa Middleton - and the hand-engraved jewellery has also been worn by Autumn Phillips, Carla Bruni Sarkozy, Isabella Branson and Katie Piper.
“I never imagined that the Duchess of Cambridge would wear one of our necklaces – and to receive this award really is the royal seal of approval,” added Beatrice.
“I feel so proud and humbled to have had this support and I look forward to meeting Her Majesty at the Buckingham Palace Reception on 11 July.”
Despite the award, Beatrice and her team – which includes UK managing director Clémence Jamet – aren’t resting on their laurels.
More growth is on the cards, with further expansion in Europe planned for next year.
“Our aim is to continue to build our brand and innovate, in the UK, France, Germany and the US through our website,” explained Beatrice.
“Next year, we have a project to open our third workshop in Berlin, Germany, and translate our website in Italian and Spanish.
“We are also working on developing our two other brands, Home by Merci Maman, our range of embroidered products and Message by Merci Maman, our range of pre-engraved jewellery sold in retail stores.”
