TEL: 020 7726 8661 | INFO@SADDLERSCO.CO.UK Members Login
Rachel Rayner-Lok – Saddlery Entrepreneur, experience gives confidence to set up on her ownRachel Rayner-Lok – Saddlery Entrepreneur, experience gives confidence to set up on her ownRachel Rayner-Lok – Saddlery Entrepreneur, experience gives confidence to set up on her ownRachel Rayner-Lok – Saddlery Entrepreneur, experience gives confidence to set up on her own
  • The Saddlers
    • The Livery
      • The Company Vision
      • The Prime Warden 2024-25
        • The Prime Warden’s Theme 2023-24
      • Military Affiliations
      • The Saddlers’ History
        • Archives
        • Historic Collection
    • Charity
      • Charity Founders
    • Equestrian
      • Equine Fitters Council/Directory
    • Trade
      • Training Level 1
  • News
  • Venue Hire
  • Contact
  • The Saddlers
    • The Livery
    • The Company Vision
    • The Prime Warden 2024-25
    • The Prime Warden’s Theme 2023-24
    • Military Affiliations
    • The Saddlers’ History
    • Archives
    • Historic Collection
    • Charity
    • Charity Founders
    • Equestrian
    • Trade
    • Training Level 1
    • Equine Fitters Council/Directory
  • News
  • Venue Hire
  • Contact
  • Members Login
×
✕
Mobile Side Menu
  • The Saddlers
  • News
  • Venue Hire
  • Contact
  • Members Login
Members Login

Rachel Rayner-Lok – Saddlery Entrepreneur, experience gives confidence to set up on her own

This is the next in our series of showcasing entrepreneurs from within our Company.

Rachel Rayner-Lok is an award winning Master Saddler and Qualified Saddle Fitter based in West Kent.

She was drawn to the profession by her love of craft and equestrianism. This allowed Rachel a solid foundation on which to build her career.

Having ridden from the age of five and owned horses since she was eleven, Rachel has a true passion for equines and their welfare.

Rachel qualified with a Cordwainers Diploma at Capel Manor College in 2017. She continued her education at Nutwell Saddlery in Exmouth, studying under some of the industry’s leading professionals, where she became a Qualified Saddle Fitter.

In 2019 Rachel joined David Dyer Saddles in Kent, completing her apprenticeship to become a Qualified Saddler. She became the first person to win the Abbey England scholarship and the coveted Worshipful Company of Saddlers Award.

The courses and working experience gave Rachel the confidence to strike out on her own and set up her own business, creating Lok Saddlery and Leatherwork in 2021. She provides bespoke saddle fitting, leather repairs and commissions.

Reflecting on the success of her business, she recognises that the industry is filled with experienced, like-minded people who have remained encouraging and supportive throughout her journey.

Rachel’s top-tips for fledgling saddlers:

  • Go to everything you can, courses, talks, trade shows and talk to everyone. You’ll soon start seeing familiar faces and making invaluable contacts.
  • Never stop learning; there is always a different approach and something to improve.
  • Get a good support team behind you; whether that’s an accountant, a partner, a mentor. It takes a village and it’s good to have people to lean on in tougher times and to celebrate the good times with.

Her work has been featured on popular TV shows, and ranges from tack to furniture to camera cases.

Her commissions come from a range of sources including word of mouth recommendations; either from past clients or fellow saddlers. Rachel is fortunate to have a very supportive professional network in which to recommend one another.

She recognises, however, that it can be tough to get commissions. Because she is out fitting and dealing with clients face to face, this leads to conversation and then recommendations of bench work. Once clients have met you, it’s easier to stand out. Unfortunately she doesn’t have a lot of time for digital marketing as that’s a whole other career in itself, so she tries to do it in person with her clients.

Her strong background in both saddle fitting and benchwork allows Rachel to combine all sides of the Saddlery trade – which alterations should be made, and what they’ll mean for the client.

Rachel was promoted to Master Saddler in 2022.

Lok Saddlery & Leatherwork Ltd Facebook Page

Click here for the full series of Entrepreneurs showcased.by Saddlers’ Company. 

Related News

Badminton Horse Trials success for Alice Casburn

The Company were once again pleased to present The Saddlers’ Prize at Badminton Horse Trials. This award, for […]

Learn More

Close Affiliation between the Saddlers’ Company and the Armed Forces formally Recorded

The Prime Warden of the Saddlers’ Company, Mr. Ben Laurie, was pleased to recently sign an Armed Forces […]

Learn More

British Racing School Students and Staff Celebrate Graduation

A further 10 students recently graduated from The Saddlers Flexible Learning Programme at the British Racing School in […]

Learn More

Incredible story behind RDA Park Lane Teddington

Riding for the Disabled Chief Executive Michael Bishop recently met up with members of the Saddlers’ Company at […]

Learn More

Rathbarry and Glenview Studs Welcome Saddlers to Ireland

Joan Tyner at Rathbarry and Glenview Studs near Cork in Ireland recently offered a party of Saddlers a […]

Learn More

Walsall Leather Skills Centre increases offering

The Saddlers’ Company Charitable Fund set up the Walsall Leather Skills Centre in 2020 to address a shortfall […]

Learn More

Saddlers History

Founded in 1363 the Worshipful Company of Saddlers was a medieval guild responsible for the regulation of the saddlery trade...

Learn More

The Livery

The Livery began as medieval trade associations and guilds. Its history has forged the role it plays in trade and the City of London.

Learn More

The Saddlers

  • Company
  • Trade
  • Equestrian
  • Charity

Contact

40 Gutter Lane, London EC2V 6BR

E: info@saddlersco.co.uk
T: 020 7726 8661

Venue Hire

Please contact Casey Willis to hire our venue:

cawillis@searcys.co.uk

T: 0207 517 3500

 

Terms

  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Instagram Instagram

See what our Prime Warden has been getting up to…

Instagram Twitter
Saddlers Logo

The Worshipful Company of Saddlers is incorporated by Royal Charter, granted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1995 © 2025 The Worshipful Company of Saddlers.

    • The Saddlers
    • News
    • Venue Hire
    • Contact
    • Members Login
    • The Saddlers
    • The Livery
    • The Company Vision
    • The Prime Warden 2024-25
    • The Prime Warden’s Theme 2023-24
    • Military Affiliations
    • The Saddlers’ History
    • Archives
    • Historic Collection
    • Charity
    • Charity Founders
    • Equestrian
    • Trade
    • Training Level 1
    • Equine Fitters Council/Directory
    • News
    • Venue Hire
    • Contact
    • Members Login