The theme for Hugh Taylor’s year as Prime Warden at Saddlers’ Company was Entrepreneurship.
Whether it was helping Craft Saddlers be more commercial, creating awareness of how to start a business amongst City of London Students and City Academy Pupils, or to helping our charitable partners create opportunities.
As part of this year, the company hosted:
- A company lecture with 2 separate entrepreneurs in the equestrian world talking about their challenges and strategies for creating their businesses.
- Bayes Business school to do a mini business course or module for Saddlers and other crafts drawn from fellow Livery Companies, held at the Hall.
- An entrepreneurial themed event at the Hall to celebrate the 130 year partnership between City University and Saddlers.
As part of the entrepreneurship theme, Saddlers’ Company has showcased the best of entrepreneurialism that is invigorating the UK saddlery, leather crafts, equestrian industries and other sectors by a selection of its members. See below to learn about their experiences, the lessons learned and paths to success:
Nikki Newcombe – Spotted a gap in the market to create Bliss of London
Rachel Rayner-Lok – Turned her passion for horses and riding into a successful saddlery and leather crafts business based in West Kent
Godfrey Morris MBE – Optimises his passion for leather goods in London
Michael Darley – Equestrian Entrepreneur who feels networking is key
Charlie Laurie – Entrepreneur inspired by ancestor to start his own business
Camilla Lywood – Food Entrepreneur’s organic growth and mistakes has led to success
Sam Laurie – Seizing opportunities in an expanding luxury market
Chris Maffey – Turning Passion into a Successful Cabinet Making Business
