Jim Walker of Moray firm Walkers Shortbread made a Sir in Queen's Platinum Jubilee Honours
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The chairman of Walkers Shortbread has been made a Knights Bachelor in the Queen's Platinum Jubilee Honours.
Jim Walker has been recognised for his exceptional services to the food industry, for bringing international success to a once small family concern, and for supporting both the local community and economy of Aberlour.
The man of the moment is currently on holiday in Canada, visiting his mother-in-law who will be 100 on Monday.
Phoning from across the Atlantic, he said: "I only got the letter 10 days ago and I'm still recovering from the surprise.
"I feel humbled and very appreciative.
"I would like to say thank you to my family and also to my many lifelong friends and colleagues at Walker’s Shortbread Ltd.
"They are a truly great set of people and have given me amazing support over the last 60 years."
Walker’s Shortbread was founded 124 years ago by Joseph Walker.
Jim, the grandson of Joseph, joined in 1962 when it was still a village bakery.
Along with his brother Joe and sister Marjorie, he has built up the company to become the largest family-owned biscuit manufacturer in the UK.
Jim has been responsible for Walker’s Shortbread’s sales, marketing and export business since the early 1970s.
Under his leadership, it remains the only UK food manufacturer to have won the Queen’s Award for Export on four occasions.
The company was also granted the Royal Warrant for the supply of oatcakes to the Queen in 2001 and for shortbread in 2017.
Today, Walkers exports to over a hundred markets worldwide and employs 1500 staff at peak times across its six Speyside factories.
Born in Elgin and raised in Aberlour, Jim has been married to Jennifer for 43 years and is the proud father of four and grandfather of four.
He was made a CBE in the 1998 New Year Honour’s List.
