Heritage scissor manufacturer Whiteley has been named overall winner of the Excellence in Craftsmanship Award at the Artisan Founder Awards 2026, recognising its 266-year commitment to traditional scissor-making and its role in preserving an endangered craft.

The Artisan Founder Awards celebrate independent UK businesses creating their own products, recognising the skill, originality and commitment behind artisan businesses across the country.

As the oldest scissor smith in the Western world, Whiteley has been making high-quality scissors, blades and shears using traditional techniques from its home in Sheffield since 1760. Each product is handcrafted and shaped by experienced craftsmen, with its tailoring shears having been used by leading names in the fashion industry including Alexander McQueen and Paul Smith.

Whiteley achieved the strongest combined result – through public vote and professional judging – in the Excellence in Craftsmanship Award category, commended for its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, with generations of makers refining and preserving a specialist craft.

Gautam Bathija, Director of Whiteley, said: “This award is a fantastic recognition of the skill and expertise that has been at the heart of Whiteley for more than 260 years. This month we celebrate our 266th anniversary, which is a testament to our dedication to keeping the craft of scissor-making alive. To have that heritage recognised by both the judges and the public makes this award particularly meaningful.

“Preserving this craft is about ensuring it has a future. We are passionate about passing our traditional skills to the next generation so that this expertise can continue for years to come. We’re incredibly proud to continue making scissors in Sheffield and playing our part in preserving one of the city’s great manufacturing traditions.”

Lyndsey James, founder of The Artisan Founder, said: “The awards were created to give artisan businesses another opportunity to be discovered and celebrated. What continues to stand out is the strength of support these businesses receive from the people who buy from them and follow their work.

“Winning an Artisan Founder Award recognises not only the quality of the finished product, but the skill, thought and commitment that goes into building a business around making something exceptionally well.”

The Artisan Founder Awards were launched in 2025 and returned in 2026 following nominations from readers across the UK.