John Smedley has been awarded a second Royal Warrant of Appointment from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, as manufacturers of fine knitwear.
This award sits alongside the existing Royal Warrant of Appointment for fine knitwear from Her Majesty The Queen, which the company gained in 2013.
John Smedley Ltd has been involved with a number of the charities supported by the Royal Family for many years now, including sustainability initiatives alongside The Campaign for Wool, to champion the benefits of sustainable and natural fibres, and The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust which supports British craftsmanship.
Speaking about the appointment Ian Maclean MBE, Managing Director of John Smedley Ltd, said in a statement: “The award comes at the end of one of the most difficult years our Company has faced for a very long time. The accolade means so much to everyone involved in the design and making our fine knitwear and is a very welcome boost to morale for our staff and shareholders.”
Dr Bryan Jackson CBE, Chairman of John Smedley Ltd added: “The team are extremely honoured and proud to gain such prestigious recognition for the quality of our garments. We are all working hard to preserve a long and fruitful future for the company, that continues to honour our heritage whilst also looking forwards, this award will greatly bolster our team morale and spur us on even more”
A Royal Warrant
A Royal Warrant is a mark of recognition for companies who have regularly supplied the Royal Household with services or goods for the last 5 years and currently have an ongoing trade arrangement. The history of the Royal Warrant goes back to the 12th century when there was strong competition for the seal of Royal approval, naturally meaning that the Monarch could choose from the nation’s finest trades people.
The warrant itself is the document that gives a company permission and responsibility for the display of the relevant Royal Arms that is related to the business. All Royal Warrant holders proudly hold mutual traits of the highest standards of service, quality and excellence.
