Dame Margret Barbour handed top fashion industry award by Susanna Reid

Dame Margaret Barbour has been honoured with the NatWest UKFT Outstanding Achievement Award at the NatWest UK Fashion & Textile Awards 2014.

Having spent 40 years at the helm of iconic British brand Barbour, the businesswoman and philanthropist was chosen for her immense and long-standing contribution to the UK fashion industry.

The accolade comes as the brand marks its 120th anniversary this year. In 2013 Dame Margaret Barbour celebrated 40 years as Chairman of Barbour, and under her leadership, the brand has reinvented itself from rural and naval work wear, to a global fashion phenomenon, with three Royal Warrants and products available in over 40 countries.

Bridging the gap between function and fashion, their iconic wax jackets are now an outerwear staple for the style conscious and collaborations with brands such as Temperley and Paul Smith have propelled Barbour squarely into the fashion space, becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable global lifestyle brands.

While the brand may have moved on from its practical beginnings, Dame Margaret Barbour has always kept its rich heritage at the heart of the business. Barbour continues to manufacture its traditional wax jackets in South Shields in the North East, where they currently employ almost 800 staff.

In May 2012, Dame Margaret also opened the Barbour Academy for textile apprentices, continuing her commitment to supporting employment and manufacturing in the region.

In 1988, Dame Margaret founded the Barbour Trust (now the Barbour Foundation) which to date has awarded grants of over £11.25 million to charities and cultural projects.

Dame Margaret was honoured with a CBE for services to industry in 1991, and in 1995 she became President of the Royal Warrant Holders. In 2001, she also became a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Dame Margaret accepted the Award at the recent red carpet ceremony at East London’s Tobacco Dock.

The exclusive event brought together VIP’s, industry leaders and celebrities, to celebrate the most exciting, innovative and successful fashion and textile businesses in the UK.

Dame Margaret said: “It is a great honour to receive this Outstanding Achievement Award and to be recognised in this way. When I took over the company in 1968 in the saddest of circumstances, I would never have dreamed that I would be accepting an Award like this.

“I think my late husband, John Barbour, would be proud of what I have achieved in turning Barbour into the global lifestyle clothing company it is today. However, to succeed in business you need a good team of people around you and I could not have done this by myself so this Award is really a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of my staff from the factory and warehouse through to my senior management team.”

John Miln, CEO of UKFT said: “We are thrilled and honoured to present Dame Margaret Barbour with the NatWest UKFT Outstanding Achievement Award at this year’s ceremony. Under her guidance, Barbour has gone on to become one of the most significant and iconic British brands both here in the UK and around the world. Her contribution to the UK fashion and textile industry has been immeasurable and we congratulate her on this well-deserved win.”

Dame Margaret Barbour has been honoured with the NatWest UKFT Outstanding Achievement Award at the NatWest UK Fashion & Textile Awards 2014.

Having spent 40 years at the helm of iconic British brand Barbour, the businesswoman and philanthropist was chosen for her immense and long-standing contribution to the UK fashion industry.

The accolade comes as the brand marks its 120th anniversary this year. In 2013 Dame Margaret Barbour celebrated 40 years as Chairman of Barbour, and under her leadership, the brand has reinvented itself from rural and naval work wear, to a global fashion phenomenon, with three Royal Warrants and products available in over 40 countries.

Bridging the gap between function and fashion, their iconic wax jackets are now an outerwear staple for the style conscious and collaborations with brands such as Temperley and Paul Smith have propelled Barbour squarely into the fashion space, becoming one of the UK’s most recognisable global lifestyle brands.

While the brand may have moved on from its practical beginnings, Dame Margaret Barbour has always kept its rich heritage at the heart of the business. Barbour continues to manufacture its traditional wax jackets in South Shields in the North East, where they currently employ almost 800 staff.

In May 2012, Dame Margaret also opened the Barbour Academy for textile apprentices, continuing her commitment to supporting employment and manufacturing in the region.

In 1988, Dame Margaret founded the Barbour Trust (now the Barbour Foundation) which to date has awarded grants of over £11.25 million to charities and cultural projects.

Dame Margaret was honoured with a CBE for services to industry in 1991, and in 1995 she became President of the Royal Warrant Holders. In 2001, she also became a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Dame Margaret accepted the Award at the recent red carpet ceremony at East London’s Tobacco Dock.

The exclusive event brought together VIP’s, industry leaders and celebrities, to celebrate the most exciting, innovative and successful fashion and textile businesses in the UK.

Dame Margaret said: “It is a great honour to receive this Outstanding Achievement Award and to be recognised in this way. When I took over the company in 1968 in the saddest of circumstances, I would never have dreamed that I would be accepting an Award like this.

“I think my late husband, John Barbour, would be proud of what I have achieved in turning Barbour into the global lifestyle clothing company it is today. However, to succeed in business you need a good team of people around you and I could not have done this by myself so this Award is really a testament to the hard work and dedication of all of my staff from the factory and warehouse through to my senior management team.”

John Miln, CEO of UKFT said: “We are thrilled and honoured to present Dame Margaret Barbour with the NatWest UKFT Outstanding Achievement Award at this year’s ceremony. Under her guidance, Barbour has gone on to become one of the most significant and iconic British brands both here in the UK and around the world. Her contribution to the UK fashion and textile industry has been immeasurable and we congratulate her on this well-deserved win.”

Heather Melville, director Strategic Partnership, RBS said: “We can’t think of a more deserving winner of the NatWest UK Outstanding Achievement Award than Dame Margaret Barbour.

“Her drive and vision has made the brand the resounding success it is today, and her impact on the fashion industry has been tremendous. We congratulate her on yet another important accolade.”