2025 marks 70 years of Robert Welch Designs. This talk will trace the evolution of design at the business, capturing the essence of a legacy that continues to inspire.

Robert Welch studied silversmithing at the Royal College of Art. Upon graduation in 1955, he left London for Gloucestershire countryside where he rented a small room in a disused 18th century Silk Mill in Chipping Campden.

Set against the backdrop of the British post-war silver revival and the push to ‘design for industry’ in Britain in the wake of the 1951 Festival of Britain, this review will look at the aspirations, inspirations, key designs, stories and pivotal moments across seven decades that led to the shift from traditional silversmithing to craft-manufacture in stainless steel. It will explore newly uncovered archival imagery and stories from the past, offering fresh insights, honouring a rich design heritage and showcasing why Robert Welch has developed such expertise in stainless steel design in the 21st century.

Speaker Charlotte Booth has been archivist at the business for over a decade. Both custodian and advocate, she works to bring the collections and heritage of Robert Welch to life

The ticket price for this talk includes entry to the exhibition of some of  The Pearson Silver Collection at Court Barn Museum in Chipping Campden, a 5 minute walk from the theatre.

There will also be a talk in the morning on British Silver Design by John Andrew (11am-12:30pm), again at Cidermill Theatre, so why not make a day of it?

This talk will take place at Cidermill Theatre in Chipping Campden, home of Robert Welch. There is parking onsite and the building is accessible with Blue Badge parking available.

Tickets £20 (includes cost of entry to the exhibitions at Court Barn Museum)

Tickets go on sale through the website at 10am on 17th March.

You can become a Benefactor for as little as £60 to qualify for priority booking and support our Outreach Projects in doing so, applications are now open

Robert started out with just his drawing board, a sheet of paper and a pencil, and even slept on a camp bed in the same room as he worked.

Whilst still based in this same building, the business has come a long way from the drawing office where Robert’s first thoughts were sketched out. This quiet start in the English Cotswold Hills would ultimately give his name a global reach.

He remained true to a design ethos that prioritised economy of form and priority of function over following fashionable fads & trends, and the outcome was a portfolio of timeless designs, an archive which today’s company is proud to build upon.

With roots firmly planted, today they are able to draw on this legacy of iconic designs and supply over 100 countries, proudly retaining the Cotswold identity. Robert Welch designs can be found in homes, cathedrals, universities, embassies, hotels, restaurants, cruise liners, airlines and museums all over the world.

Speaker – Charlotte Booth Archivist from Robert Welch