The great and the good of the UK leather industry were hosted at the prestigious venue of Leathersellers Hall in Bishopsgate for the annual Leather Industry Dinner, on the evening of Thursday 6th June 2019.
95 guests attended from a wide cross-section of this richly diverse industry, including tanners, leather goods artisans, leather scientists, academics, designers, hide and skin dealers, livery and freemen - and a vicar! Rev'd Richard Coles delivered a witty and fascinating after dinner speech, recounting his family heritage of the Midlands shoe trade and charting his remarkable career from pop star to pulpit.
Leather UK Chairman, James Lang, provided an update on the industry. “The leather industry in the UK is in good shape. Leather UK currently has 80 members, increased from 29 at the start of 2018. Combined, our companies have an annual turnover of £210 million, 80% of which comes from exports. Together, we employ 18,000 people. This, combined with our high standards in animal welfare and environmental responsibility, makes the UK leather industry one of the most vibrant in the world.”
It was truly marvellous to have such a gathering of the talented and diverse UK leather industry in one place, where new connections and friendships were made. This network will be further boosted by the next Leather UK members event on Tuesday 17th September at the new Institute for Creative Leather Technologies facility at the University of Northampton.
You can view photographs from the 2019 Leather Industry Dinner here.
The next Leather Industry Dinner will be held on Thursday 11th June, 2020.
