After more than 70 years of dedication to his family business, John Lawson has been awarded the accolade by Family Business United.
John Lawson, took the reins of the family business in the early 1950s when he was just 20 years old. Having already dedicated more than 70 years to his family's business, builders' merchant Lawsons, he remains actively involved at the age of 94.
Along with the National Lifetime Achievement Award, Lawson also received a Regional Lifetime Achievement Award at Family Business United's annual Family Business Dinner in London, where ten individuals were recognised for their longstanding contribution to their family businesses. John received a standing ovation from the family business community as he collected his award.
Lawsons was founded in 1921 as a timber merchant in Whetstone, north London, and is now the largest independent timber, building materials, fencing, and landscaping merchants in London and the South East, employing more than 700 people.
A factor in the judges' decision was a significant governance change that was made in April 2026, when Lawson gifted his majority shareholding into an independent non-family employee benefit trust. The move reflected the family values that have shaped the business throughout Lawson's leadership, and was designed to protect Lawsons' independence and ensure its continuity for future generations.
John Lawson, Founder and Director, Lawsons, said: "I am extremely honoured to receive this award. Lawsons has never been about one person. Everything we have achieved over the years has been possible because of the people who have worked alongside us and their families who have supported them.
"The mutual responsibility and interaction between the family and the business fosters relationships and lifelong friendships. Protecting that for the future and our people is very important to me, and I hope Lawsons will continue to provide opportunities and serve its customers and communities for many generations to come."
Paul Andrews, Managing Director, Family Business United, said: "John's story stood out to the judges as an exceptional example of what building a family business is all about.
"His commitment to the people around him, the values that have guided Lawsons and the steps he has taken with his gift to fully preserve that legacy for Lawsons' People and future generations embody the very spirit of this award.
"John is an inspirational figure in the family business community and a hugely deserving winner of the National Lifetime Achievement Award."
