National community award for Johnstons of Elgin

A MORAY business has picked up a national award for its commitment to the community.

Johnstons of Elgin – Scotland’s second oldest family business and the UK’s largest textile employer – was commended for its "Commitment to the Community" at The Herald Scottish Family Business Awards 2019 on Wednesday, December 4.

Scottish family-owned firms gathered at Crowne Plaza Glasgow for the awards.

Johnstons of Elgin employs more than 1000 people. From improving the welfare of local employees and supporting youth employment, to charitable and environmental initiatives, the luxury cashmere manufacturer was celebrated for embracing its surrounding communities and the contribution to the supply chain in the UK and Mongolia. The firm is a major employer in both Elgin and Hawick.

Chairman Jenny Urquhart said: "As a company, we invest in developing our dedicated craftsmen and women to retain rare traditional textile manufacturing skills, and also in embracing the latest technology. We now employ over 1,000 people in Scotland and the success of a business is always down to its people. At Johnstons of Elgin, we have the most talented textile workforce dedicated to driving the business forward – this award is for them."

Hugh Lightbody, chief officer at Business Gateway and judge, said: "Family-run businesses are a key part of the industry, and I’m delighted to celebrate the effort, skill and success of Johnstons of Elgin and their contribution to driving the sector forward."

This year, the 222-year-old company opened its fifth store in the UK, situated in the heart of Edinburgh’s exclusive shopping quarter, Multrees Walk, with others located on London’s Bond Street, in Hawick, Elgin and St Andrews. The business has design teams stretching across five showrooms in London, New York, Paris, Dusseldorf and Tokyo.

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