Chamber News
Johnstons of Elgin presented with King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade
9 December 2024 • Sarah Medcraf
Johnstons of Elgin has received what’s widely referred to as a ‘business knighthood’.
The world-famous Moray textile firm was presented with the King’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
Making it both extra-special and extra-rare is the fact Johnstons already holds a similar honour granted by King Charles III’s late mother. In 2021 the business was the recipient of a Queen’s Award for Sustainability which runs for a five-year period.
Seymour Monro, the Lord Lieutenant of Moray, came to the company’s headquarters in Elgin to hand over the King’s award, which was accepted by Stuart Jamieson, a member of the sales team who’s due to retire in a fortnight after 28 years of service with Johnstons.
For his part, Stuart said: “I feel so privileged to have worked with so many wonderful people in this company.”
Sited on the banks of River Lossie, Johnstons of Elgin has been producing the highest-quality merchandise for more than 200 years, having been founded all the way back in 1797.
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Nowadays, more than half its products make their way abroad.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chris Gaffney, the firm’s CEO, talked of the pride he felt in the company’s sales team, its customer service division and its staff in general.
He went on to state that Johnstons’ first forays into international trade began as long ago as 1813, when a consignment of goods were shipped from Elgin to the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.
Although, Chris jokingly added that not every business venture abroad met with equal success in those long gone days, citing a failed attempt to sell heavy tweed clothing to prospectors during the Australian Gold Rush.
He said: “Moray punches well above its weight when it comes to exports. As well as Johnstons we have several other great firms in the region who do a lot of international trade, such as Baxters and Walker’s. We’re very pleased to be a part of that.”
Only 257 businesses in the UK currently have either a King’s or Queen’s award.
Over the years Johnstons has also been a recipient in 1978, 1994 and 2002.