Luxury knitwear and accessories maker Johnstons of Elgin has been granted The King’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2024. Instituted by Royal Warrant in 1965, The King's Award for Enterprise is the most prestigious business award in the United Kingdom, with recipients recognised as being among the best of British businesses.

The King’s Awards for Enterprise were previously known as The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise, and the new name reflects His Majesty King Charles III’s desire to continue the legacy of Queen Elizabeth II by recognising outstanding UK businesses. The Award programme is now in its 57th year and has awarded over 7,000 companies since its inception.

Globally renowned maker

Johnstons of Elgin’s CEO Chris Gaffney commented: “I am delighted to see the hard work of our teams recognised with this prestigious award. Our company has been outward looking and driven to find new markets since its earliest days, ever since our founder Alexander Johnston loaded his cart to transport our woollen fabric to the local port and on to Nova Scotia, Canada, in 1813. We are proud that Johnstons of Elgin is known in countries throughout the globe as a maker of the highest quality. It is a particular honour for us to hold two Enterprise awards simultaneously, adding the King’s Award for International Trade to the award for Sustainable Development that we received in 2021 from the late Queen Elizabeth II.”

Rigorous process

The King’s Award, valid for five years, follows a rigorous selection process that considered Johnstons’ year-on-year growth over three years. Many aspects of its business, including its impact on the environment, its immediate communities and those at its fibre source, were taken into account. “We are very proud of this significant achievement,” the company said.

www.johnstonsofelgin.com