Celebrating a centenary of leather education

26 November 2009



The British School of Leather Technology (BSLT), part of the University of Northampton, celebrated 100 years of leather education with a host of events over the weekend of July 17-19. The centenary event culminated in a banquet and fashion show featuring leather outfits and accessories designed by university students. The centenary celebration, which took place in the lawns of the university’s Park Campus, was attended by 250 guests from around the world representing current and former BSLT students, the tanning, footwear, supplier and other industry related businesses.


The fashion show which presented leather designs by current BA (Hons) students in fashion, footwear and accessories  was followed by an award ceremony to honour outstanding achievement and contribution to a number of fields in the leather and related industries. The recipient of the main honour, lifetime contribution, was given to Dr Robert Sykes the former chief executive of BLC Leather Technology Centre. The following day guests visited the former home of the BSLT located in Bermondsey, London, and the studio of international fashion designer, Zandra Rhodes. The event ended with a lunch hosted by the Leathersellers’ company at Leathersellers’ hall located in the financial district of London.

BSLT centenary award nominees and recipients

Philanthropy and support:
Nominees:

Reg Hankey
Sateesh Jadhav
Axel Landmann
The Leathersellers’ Company
Mike Redwood
William Tusting
John Tusting
Winner: The Leathersellers’ Company
Special mention for philanthropy and support: Jonathan Cooke

Sustainability and the environment
Nominees:

Warren Bowden
Richard Daniels
Robert Sykes
Winner: Richard Daniels

Research
Nominees:

Vikki Addy
Walter Dyson
Robert Sykes
Tony Covington
Betty Haines
Roy Thompson
Winner: Tony Covington

Innovation
Nominees:

Antonio Galiotto
Tony Marriott
Peter Leight
Mike Redwood
Winner: Mike Redwood

Design
Nominees:

Alma
Bill Amberg
Dunhill
Mulberry
Richard Ablett
Coach
Jimmy Choo
Winner: Coach Inc

Manufacturing
Nominees:

John Basford
Freda Hurst
Tony Marriott
Robert Sykes
Douglas Crack
Arthur Jones
Jim Parkins
Mark Saxby
John Henderson
Bob Johnson
Jack Purvis
Winner: Tony Marriott

Journalism
Nominees:

David Buirski
Bob Higham
Richard Daniels
Malcolm Leafe
Shelagh Davy
Winner: Bob Higham
Special mention for journalism:
Shelagh Davy

Education
Nominees:

Peter Ellement
Colin Jones
Dick Roy
Robert Sykes
The Northampton
Central Museum
Christine Powley-Williams
John Sharphouse
Winner: Colin Jones

Supplying the industry
Nominees:

Peter Alford
Keith Durham
Philip Rothwell
John Basford
Peter Jessop
Christopher Tysoe
George Donath
Bob Johnson
Gerhard Wolfe
Winner: John Basford

Lifetime contribution
Nominees:

Shelagh Davy
Axel Landmann
Roy Thompson
Bob Johnson
Mike Redwood
John Tusting
Colin Jones
Robert Sykes
Recipient: Robert Sykes



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