Magdalen Gardens

South Devon business DCUK has officially received its King’s Award for Enterprise at a special presentation attended by the Lord-Lieutenant of Devon and the Indonesian Ambassador to the UK.

The team at DCUK, The Original Wooden Duck Company, welcomed around 30 guests to its Totnes headquarters on Monday 21st September to mark the independent gifting brand’s achievement in receiving the royal recognition.

David Fursdon, Lord-Lieutenant of Devon and His Majesty The King’s representative in the county, officially presented the award to the business, recognising DCUK’s sustained success in international markets.

He was joined by H.E. Desra Percaya, Indonesian Ambassador to the United Kingdom, whose attendance held particular significance for the local business that has worked closely with skilled craftspeople in Indonesia for more than 20 years.

The company is one of only five Devon businesses to receive a King’s Award for Enterprise this year, and one of just three to be recognised for International Trade. 

The presentation brought together DCUK staff, suppliers, agency partners, friends and business contacts, including a key supplier who travelled from Indonesia for the occasion.

Craig Wensley, owner of DCUK, said: “Receiving the King’s Award was already an incredibly proud moment, but having the opportunity to bring together so many of the people who have played a part in the DCUK story made the presentation particularly special.

“To receive the award here in Devon from the Lord-Lieutenant, alongside our team and partners, was a real honour and we were also delighted to welcome Ambassador Desra Percaya. Our relationship with Indonesia has been at the heart of the brand for more than 20 years, so to have both Devon and Indonesia represented as we celebrated this milestone felt especially fitting.”

DCUK is best known for its distinctive handcrafted wooden duck characters, which combine traditional Indonesian craftsmanship with British creativity and design.

The Totnes-based company has worked with Indonesian craftspeople since 2004, with its characters individually carved and painted from bamboo root before finding their way to customers and collectors in the UK and increasingly overseas. Its relationship with Indonesia was highlighted during a visit to the Indonesian Embassy in London earlier this month, ahead of the Ambassador’s visit to Devon for the presentation.

The ceremony follows a period of significant growth for DCUK, with sales increasing by 187% over four years, meaning turnover has almost tripled over the period.

North America has become the company’s largest overseas market, with the US and Canada accounting for the majority of its export sales, while DCUK has also developed markets in Australia, Japan, Italy and elsewhere in Europe.

The King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade recognises DCUK’s sustained success in overseas markets and marks a significant milestone for a business that began more than two decades ago.

Craig added: “This award belongs to everyone who has played a part in DCUK’s journey – from our local team here to our talented makers in Indonesia, our stockists, suppliers, partners and the people who have welcomed our characters into their homes.

“We may now be sending our ducks further around the world than ever before, but we’re incredibly proud that the heart of the business remains here in Devon.”