On Thursday 11th September, we were delighted to welcome HM Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Mrs Elizabeth Fothergill, to our Alfreton factory. She joined us to present the King’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development – one of the UK’s most prestigious business honours.
It was a proud and memorable day for everyone here at David Nieper, and we’re so pleased to share the story with you. It was a very special day for everyone. This award recognises not only our commitment to making your clothes sustainably, but also highlights the sense of responsibility that runs through every part of our company.
Keeping your clothes sustainable
This is the second time our unique approach has been recognised with a royal award. Since winning the Queen’s Award in 2020, we’ve continued to make great strides in creating beautiful clothes that are kinder to the planet. We’ve reduced the energy we draw from the grid by a massive 45% and have built Britain’s first 100% green energy powered printworks for jersey fabrics.
We do it because, for us, sustainability is about much more than saving energy or recycling waste. “It’s about responsibility,” Christopher said in the speech he gave at the ceremony, “and I’d like us to be an exemplar – perhaps a national exemplar – of a responsible company.”
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Supporting local schools
Eco-friendly manufacture is just a part of what we do – the award also recognised the support we offer to local schools. Today, our company sponsors four schools and around 1,250 pupils, with our own David Nieper Academy now being the third most oversubscribed school in Derbyshire. The Academy’s Sixth Form BTECs are also in the top 1% nationally – a testament to the hard work of all the students and staff.
Supporting the next generation has always been important to Christopher. For him and for us, it’s not just about good education, it’s about empowering young people to dream big and aspire to futures full of possibility.
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Part of the community
Our commitment goes beyond the school gates – right into the Alfreton community where we’re based. For 64 years, we’ve chosen to stay loyal to local skills. Unlike many fashion brands, we’ve continued to design and manufacture all our core ranges right here in the UK – rather than going offshore in search of fast fashion.
This cuts down on ‘fashion miles’ as we don’t need to fly your clothes halfway across the world, and supports the skilled makers living right on our doorstep. And most importantly, it means we bring you exceptionally well-made, perfectly fitting clothes that help you look and feel fantastic.
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Looking ahead
This award is a moment of celebration for all of us at David Nieper – our team, our partners, our community and you, our customers. Together, we’ve shown that fashion can be sustainable, responsible, and proudly local.
As we look to the future, we’ll stay committed to making high-quality clothes with both you and the planet in mind. We know that the places where you shop are important to you, and we promise to keep David Nieper your go-to for sustainability and timeless style.