As part of the 2025 Broadway Arts Festival’s ‘Silver Day’, join archivist of Robert Welch Designs, Charlotte Booth for “Robert Welch - Crafting a Design Legacy”, a talk which will trace the evolution of design at Robert Welch and capture the essence of a legacy which continue to inspire in its 70th year!

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.

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.

About the speaker

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

Tickets are priced at £20 per person, and include entry to an exhibition of The Pearson Silver Collection at Court Barn Museum in Chipping Campden, which runs from Saturday 17 May 2025 to Sunday 15 June 2025.

The Goldsmiths’ Company is proud to support Silver Day at the 2025 Broadway Arts Festival.