Falmouth-based creative agency Kingdom & Sparrow has won a silver award for its work on Buttermilk’s rebrand at the DBA Design Effectiveness Awards.

The awards recognise projects that demonstrate design’s tangible effect on a business, by focusing on design’s strategic and commercial value.

Kingdom & Sparrow were the only Cornish agency nominated and were up against some of the UK’s largest, most successful design agencies working with international brands like Unilever, Mars and Carlsberg.

The Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, presented the awards at last night’s event at The Brewery in central London.

Buttermilk is a family-run Cornish brand, making fudge and confectionery the traditional way since the 1960s. But they wanted to set their sights high, taking their Cornish story further afield to become the nation’s most beloved confectioner.

Kingdom & Sparrow transformed their brand and designed a range of packaging for premium ‘sharing packs’ and gift boxes suitable for supermarkets. The rebrand was a huge success and Buttermilk have since extended far beyond the southwest.

Tracy McDonnell Goad, Director at Buttermilk, said “We wanted to create a year round company in Cornwall and had to find new markets to do so. Kingdom and Sparrow combined commercial awareness with incredible design which has allowed us to expand nationally, export to 17 countries and employ people year round.”.

Kingdom & Sparrow specialises in building and designing for food, drink and lifestyle brands all over the world but are proud of their success working with a local company.

Managing director Daniel Gradwell said: “We’re so proud to have received this award, especially because it’s all about how our design has proven effective for our client.

“People’s perception of design talent is changing. You no longer need to be in London or the big cities to be respected for producing innovative brands.

"Our location is definitely one of our USPs as an agency. We pioneer a healthy work-life balance and everyone here loves what they do. Technology and our easy access to Newquay airport means we never have to compromise on client communication."