Yorkshire SMEs Among Exceptional Exporters Honoured In UK Government’s Made In The UK, Sold To The World Awards

Yorkshire-based SMEs, Media Bodies and SimVenture, are among the 2024 winners of the Department for Business and Trade’s (DBT) Made in the UK, Sold to the World Awards announced today.

Now in their second year, the awards celebrate the international sales success of small-medium businesses across the UK and provide a stepping stone for further growth and opportunity.

Awarded in the Creative Industries category, Media Bodies is a performance influencer marketing agency focusing on YouTube, Podcast, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and Experiential Marketing. Having started with a focus on the gaming industry, Media Bodies now works across industries including tech, retail, ecommerce, beauty, fashion, wellness, and more.

Media Bodies, located in Leeds, boasts a diverse client base that spans nearly 20 countries worldwide. Since the agency scaled its exports, it has seen 100% revenue growth consecutively for the past three years. Entering key markets has allowed the agency to keep a pulse on developing market trends and establish a strong regional network and reputation, which has been instrumental in driving further growth in those markets and identifying diversification opportunities.

The Education and EdTech category winner is York-based SimVenture, whose digital software products are used by education institutions and workplace training providers in over 20 countries, enabling them to bring business learning to life. By providing business and entrepreneurship learning tools, SimVenture’s products empower learners to make decisions, deal with consequences, and work in a highly engaging and authentic way.

SimVenture started exporting in 2008, with approximately £5k of sales following its first trade mission to Nova Scotia in Canada. Today, they have 15 Partner Agents distributing SimVenture products worldwide.

We’re proud of our British exporters and these Awards highlight some fantastic businesses punching above their weight and selling UK-made products around the world.

I hope the winners serve as inspiration to others looking to get onto the exporting ladder and encourage more businesses to showcase the incredible talent and innovation of UK businesses selling abroad.,

Edward Fuller

Commenting on Media Bodies’ win, Edward Fuller, Founder & CEO, said:

“To be recognised at a national level is incredible- such a fantastic platform to bring our Influencer Marketing expertise into the limelight! This year, we’re keen to build on our exporting success by further growing our newer services - Podcasts, TikTok, and Experiential campaigns- in our established markets, while continuously upskilling to grow our YouTube offering; and we’re so excited to see what new avenues this win opens up for us!”

Peter Harrington

Peter Harrington, Co-founder and CEO at SimVenture, added:

“As a team at SimVenture we believe our advanced learning technologies change lives for the better. We are committed to helping people all over the world teach and learn about business and entrepreneurship. Winning this award is validation that investments we've made and risks we've taken over twenty years have been sound. Having this prestigious badge of honour will underpin and accelerate our growth into new global markets.”


The winning businesses have been drawn from a diverse range of 12 sectors across 10 categories: Agriculture, Food & Drink; Creative Industries; Education & EdTech; Financial Services and FinTech; Retail & Consumer Goods; Consultancy & Professional Services; Healthcare; Infrastructure & Engineering; Low Carbon Energy; and Manufacturing, Advanced Manufacturing & Construction. The latter five categories have been introduced as new additions this year to ensure that businesses from all sectors could enter.

Within each category, three additional businesses were also awarded highly commended status for their inspiring business stories and exporting prowess.

Commenting on Media Bodies’ win at this year’s awards Marco Forgione, Director General of The Institute of Export & International Trade (IOE&IT) and panel judge, said:

“As one of the leading performance influencer marketing agencies, Media Bodies has evolved significantly since its founding 11 years ago. Starting with a focus on YouTube influencer marketing, the agency now covers podcasts, TikTok, Instagram, Twitch, and experiential marketing, catering to a wide range of industries. Through data-driven strategies and dedicated client support, Media Bodies has established itself as a competitive force in the influencer marketing industry that serves clients in nearly 20 countries worldwide."

On SimVenture’s triumph, Marco Forgione added:

“Winning this year’s award highlights SimVenture’s commitment to revolutionising business education worldwide. By seamlessly integrating authentic learning experiences, the company has successfully empowered educators and trainers to foster engaging, impactful learning environments. What’s more, SimVenture has charted consistent growth in export markets since 2008 and now trades alongside 21 countries around the world. Congratulations to the SimVenture team for their well-deserved recognition as leaders in business education!”

In 2021, DBT launched the ‘Made in the UK, Sold to the World’ campaign to celebrate exporting success from across the UK and tell businesses’ stories. The awards programme builds on this to further recognise and celebrate the global trading success of SMEs from across the UK.

Winning businesses receive an invitation to an evening Parliamentary Reception and receive a year’s free membership with the Institute of Export and International Trade (IOE&IT). They will also win a digital badge, physical certificate and trophy and enjoy promotional activity across DBT channels, including individual profiles to share their export success.