Our Story
What began as a modest craft has grown into a legacy of continuous innovation.
H Dawson has spent generations refining processes that transform wool into high‑performance products offering superior comfort, durability, and environmental benefits.
Wool remains central to our company’s story: breathable, renewable, and inherently resilient. Yet we have always recognised that heritage alone is not enough. Our forward‑thinking approach has elevated wool beyond its traditional uses, delivering solutions that are kinder to the planet and healthier for consumers.
Founded in 1888
Founded in 1888 by Harry Dawson, the company grew to become one of the world’s most respected wool traders, with operations spanning multiple continents. Its journey has not been without challenge - from post‑war market crashes to the disruptive rise of low‑cost synthetics in the 1950s, which dramatically reduced global wool values. Today, wool accounts for less than 1% of global fibre production, with average prices falling from around £14/kg in the mid‑1950s to below £1/kg.
Navigating such volatility requires vision, steady leadership, and a willingness to adapt. H Dawson’s history reflects exactly that - a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and long‑term thinking that continues to guide our company as it embraces new opportunities and drives positive change across the industry.
This entrepreneurial spirit of leadership was carried forward by Andrew Dawson and his brothers, Francis & John, who from the 1960s onwards guided H Dawson through an era of global expansion. He established new offices in Italy and China and travelled to more than 93 countries, recognising early that the wool market was shifting both East and West.
True to the Dawson legacy, Andrew understood that progress required constant movement - standing still was never an option. After 50 years in the wool trade, he retired in 2012, with Jo Dawson taking over leadership under Andrew’s continued guidance on the H Dawson Board.
In the latest chapter of our evolution, Jo Dawson, representing the fourth generation of family leadership, launched Woolkeepers in 2018. This visionary initiative set out to transform the landscape for British wool growers by promoting responsible and ethical farming practices, and by offering farmers more stable, fair pricing beyond the volatility of traditional auction markets.
Woolkeepers has since grown into a community of more than 1,000 farmers and continues to drive adoption of innovative, regenerative farming methods that protect soil health, animal welfare, and long‑term sustainability.
Today, Woolkeepers works with like‑minded brands worldwide that value traceability, sustainability, and high‑quality natural fibres - brands seeking meaningful differentiation in an increasingly crowded marketplace.
In 2025, the programme was fully integrated into the H Dawson & Sons management structure under Jo’s direct leadership, aligning with his long‑standing commitment to regenerative agriculture and the future of responsible fibre sourcing.
In the latest wave of change, Andrew has announced his decision to step down from the H Dawson board to pursue his other passions, including his long‑standing involvement with Yorkshire CCC, his support for wool‑related and broader charitable initiatives, and spending more time with his wife Gill at their home in Appletreewick.
Both Jo and Andrew share a kindred spirit for embracing progress, and at the heart of H Dawson their shared vision endures: to be a catalyst for change - transforming the way wool is grown, produced, and brought to life in finished products
