A BORDERS businessman has been honoured by the textiles industry with a top award.

Sinclair Paterson, who is the owner and managing director of cashmere accessories brand, Sinclair Duncan, has been awarded the prestigious Silver Medal Award from The Worshipful Company of Weavers.

The 41-year-old from Galashiels was presented with the award at a ceremony held within Saddlers Hall, Westminster, last Tuesday by Livia Firth, founder and creative director of Eco Age.

The award acknowledges the hard work and influence Sinclair has had on the UK textile industry, specifically in manufacturing.

Sinclair told the Border Telegraph: "I was stunned yet honoured to have been considered for this award and I'm really proud to be accepting this as head of my own business, which we only started four years ago.

"It has really buoyed me to continue to produce the high quality products that the UK is renowned for."

After more than 20 years of working for successful textile manufacturing companies within Scotland, Sinclair decided in 2012 to start his own cashmere accessories brand, Sinclair Duncan - named after his father, Duncan Paterson, who was an esteemed mill-owner during the textile manufacturing glory days of the 1970s.

Based in his home-town of Galashiels, Sinclair, alongside wife and business-partner, Debbie, has proven that the ‘Made in Scotland’ brand is as strong as ever in the domestic and global market.

Past recipients of the Silver Medal include the current chairman of the Worshipful Company of Weavers, James Sugden.

Mr Sudgen was full of praise for the latest winner. He told us: "I worked alongside Sinclair at the Johnstons mills in Elgin and Hawick for nearly 20 years, and in his managerial capacity his contribution to the industry has been outstanding.

"He has a first-class technical knowledge of all processing of woollens and cashmere, and now with the formation of his own weaving and accessory company, he has clearly demonstrated that there is a bright future for textiles made in Scotland.

"The industry needs more young experts like Sinclair, who can demonstrate that where there is a will, there is a way.

"This is how new jobs are created."

Another past recipient of the medal was the then chief executive of Burberry, Christopher Bailey.

The ceremony was attended by 120 guests, including esteemed weavers from all over the UK, leading textile universities who are sponsored by the Worshipful Company of Weavers, and market-leading retail companies such as Burberry, John Lewis and Marks and Spencer.

Katie Fairfull, from Hamilton, who studies Textile Design with a specialism in Weave at Heriot Watt University in Galashiels was also among the winners.

The 22-year-old picked up the top student award. A delighted Katie said: "I'm completely overwhelmed to have won the Stuart Hollander Scholarship from the Worshipful Company of Weavers.

"I've not been a part of the textile industry for long, but it is a pleasure to wake up each morning excited about what the day could bring... and I'm still at university.

"My mum and dad have always taught me that hard work pays off, and it’s so rewarding to already be experiencing these benefits in ways I'd only ever dreamed of. The full experience has been incredible and I am continuously grateful."