Date: 24.08.2026
IVA PLANTS shortlisted in four categories at the West London Chambers Business Awards 2026
IVA PLANTS and its founder, Alexandra Ghemu, have been selected as finalists in four categories at the West London Chambers Business Awards 2026.
The finalist categories are Best Business for Health and Wellbeing, Best Entrepreneur, Best Small Company (Under 50 Employees) and Women In Business Award.
The awards celebrate businesses and entrepreneurs across West London, recognising their progress, resilience and contribution to the local business community.
From one finalist place to four
This is the second consecutive year that IVA PLANTS has reached the finals of the West London Chambers Business Awards. In 2025, the brand was shortlisted for Best New Business.
“Last year, being a finalist in Best New Business felt like an important first step,” says Alexandra. “To return this year in four categories is something I genuinely did not expect. Each category recognises a different part of the work behind IVA PLANTS, from the purpose of the blends to building and growing the business independently.”
A year of progress
IVA PLANTS was founded in West London in 2024 after Alexandra’s own experience of working night shifts at Heathrow Airport and living with a disrupted routine. This led her to create natural tea blends for different everyday needs and moments of the day.
The range has continued to develop while remaining true to the principles on which the brand began. All teas are blended and packed by hand in the UK in small batches, using natural ingredients without added flavourings.
In July 2026, Vanilla & Cacao black tea and Vitamin Boost tea each received a Great Taste 1-star award from the Guild of Fine Food. These followed the Great Taste 1-star awarded to Sleep Well tea in 2025.
Sleep Well and Vanilla & Cacao black tea also received Bronze awards at the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards 2026.
The woman behind the business
Alexandra has built IVA PLANTS independently, drawing on family knowledge of herbs, her horticultural education and her own experience of developing a food and drink business from the beginning.
Alongside running IVA PLANTS, she has contributed to the wider food industry through judging work and professional food networks. Her work continues to connect natural ingredients, traditional knowledge and the practical realities of modern life.
Looking ahead
IVA PLANTS will continue developing its herbal and black tea range while working to reach more independent retailers and introduce the blends to new customers.
The winners of the West London Chambers Business Awards 2026 will be announced on 20 November 2026 at Novotel London West in Hammersmith.
About IVA PLANTS
IVA PLANTS is an independent West London tea brand founded by Alexandra Ghemu in 2024. It creates natural herbal and black tea blends for different needs and moments of the day.
All teas are blended and packed by hand in the UK in small batches. The range includes Sleep Well, Energy Rise, Vitamin Boost, Immune Plus+, Gentle Digestion, Vanilla & Cacao and Cacao & Garden Mint tea.
IVA PLANTS products have received three Great Taste 1-star awards and three Bronze awards from the Farm Shop & Deli Product Awards.
Motto: Always fresh, always natural.
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