One of the most respected British designers of the 20th century, Robert Radford Welch MBE, RDI believed that everyone should be able to use beautifully designed products in everyday life. After training as a silversmith at the Royal College of Art in London, he specialised in design for stainless steel, establishing a company in his own name in 1955. Today, we work to ensure our rich legacy remains an inspiration to our Designers, whilst continuing to innovate in terms of technique and technology. Here we showcase some key moments and designs from the last 70 years.
SEVEN DECADES OF DESIGN
1950s
CAMPDEN
This ubiquitous stainless steel toast rack won our first design award. Part of a collection named ‘Campden’ for the town Robert Welch’s design studio remains in, the leaflet states, ‘Old Hall Tableware can last a lifetime. All it asks for is a little care’.
1950s
CAMPDEN
This ubiquitous stainless steel toast rack won our first design award. Part of a collection named ‘Campden’ for the town Robert Welch’s design studio remains in, the leaflet states, ‘Old Hall Tableware can last a lifetime. All it asks for is a little care’.
1950s
CAMPDEN
This ubiquitous stainless steel toast rack won our first design award. Part of a collection named ‘Campden’ for the town Robert Welch’s design studio remains in, the leaflet states, ‘Old Hall Tableware can last a lifetime. All it asks for is a little care’.
1960s
ALVESTON
Among Robert’s many designs, the Alveston tea pot, named after the village where he lived from 1962, stands out as an example of his remarkable ability to give expression to the inherent qualities of stainless steel. It is an iconic design that it is still in daily use in homes across the world.
1960s
ALVESTON
Among Robert’s many designs, the Alveston tea pot, named after the village where he lived from 1962, stands out as an example of his remarkable ability to give expression to the inherent qualities of stainless steel. It is an iconic design that it is still in daily use in homes across the world.
1960s
ALVESTON
Among Robert’s many designs, the Alveston tea pot, named after the village where he lived from 1962, stands out as an example of his remarkable ability to give expression to the inherent qualities of stainless steel. It is an iconic design that it is still in daily use in homes across the world.
1970s
STUDIO SHOP
The seventies marked a shift for Robert Welch Designs as Robert opened his shop in December 1969, selling industrial design, stainless steel tableware and handmade silver. The shop remains on Chipping Campden high street today, just around the corner from our design studio.
1970s
STUDIO SHOP
The seventies marked a shift for Robert Welch Designs as Robert opened his shop in December 1969, selling industrial design, stainless steel tableware and handmade silver. The shop remains on Chipping Campden high street today, just around the corner from our design studio.
1970s
STUDIO SHOP
The seventies marked a shift for Robert Welch Designs as Robert opened his shop in December 1969, selling industrial design, stainless steel tableware and handmade silver. The shop remains on Chipping Campden high street today, just around the corner from our design studio.
1980s
MBE
In 1979 Robert Radford Welch was created MBE for services to Design. Throughout the 1980s he would pass his expertise on via exhibitions and lectures, and through initiatives to support diminishing craft skills all over the world.
1980s
MBE
In 1979 Robert Radford Welch was created MBE for services to Design. Throughout the 1980s he would pass his expertise on via exhibitions and lectures, and through initiatives to support diminishing craft skills all over the world.
1980s
MBE
In 1979 Robert Radford Welch was created MBE for services to Design. Throughout the 1980s he would pass his expertise on via exhibitions and lectures, and through initiatives to support diminishing craft skills all over the world.
1990s
STANTON
Robert’s last design, Stanton is an example of beautifully exact sculpture, but also of stainless steel cutlery which is comfortable to use. It was the first design Robert Welch Designs manufactured in its own name and is used in Pizza Express over 20 years on.
1990s
STANTON
Robert’s last design, Stanton is an example of beautifully exact sculpture, but also of stainless steel cutlery which is comfortable to use. It was the first design Robert Welch Designs manufactured in its own name and is used in Pizza Express over 20 years on.
1990s
STANTON
Robert’s last design, Stanton is an example of beautifully exact sculpture, but also of stainless steel cutlery which is comfortable to use. It was the first design Robert Welch Designs manufactured in its own name and is used in Pizza Express over 20 years on.
2000s
SIGNATURE
Launched in 2007, over 1.5million have sold worldwide, the design for Signature kitchen knives was based in questioning all aspects of functionality, durability, methods of manufacture and ease of use, and tested using the expertise of professional chefs.
2000s
SIGNATURE
Launched in 2007, over 1.5million have sold worldwide, the design for Signature kitchen knives was based in questioning all aspects of functionality, durability, methods of manufacture and ease of use, and tested using the expertise of professional chefs.
2000s
SIGNATURE
Launched in 2007, over 1.5million have sold worldwide, the design for Signature kitchen knives was based in questioning all aspects of functionality, durability, methods of manufacture and ease of use, and tested using the expertise of professional chefs.
2010s
DNA
Robert Welch’s daughter Alice and son Rupert began working with him in the 1990s and help drive the company onwards. Remaining true to their father’s design legacy brings a sense of continuity to the modern company.
2010s
DNA
Robert Welch’s daughter Alice and son Rupert began working with him in the 1990s and help drive the company onwards. Remaining true to their father’s design legacy brings a sense of continuity to the modern company.
2010s
DNA
Robert Welch’s daughter Alice and son Rupert began working with him in the 1990s and help drive the company onwards. Remaining true to their father’s design legacy brings a sense of continuity to the modern company.
2020s
GLOBAL
Robert Welch Designs today is a global operation. Continuous investment in purpose-built UK distribution and warehousing facilities combined with a worldwide supply network ensures fast global delivery and order fulfilment. Robert Welch products can be found in hotels, restaurants and homes in over 100 Countries.
2020s
GLOBAL
Robert Welch Designs today is a global operation. Continuous investment in purpose-built UK distribution and warehousing facilities combined with a worldwide supply network ensures fast global delivery and order fulfilment. Robert Welch products can be found in hotels, restaurants and homes in over 100 Countries.
2020s
GLOBAL
Robert Welch Designs today is a global operation. Continuous investment in purpose-built UK distribution and warehousing facilities combined with a worldwide supply network ensures fast global delivery and order fulfilment. Robert Welch products can be found in hotels, restaurants and homes in over 100 Countries.
FUTURE
Today’s Robert Welch team are fortunate enough to still be working in the same building where it all began 60 years ago. Robert Welch’s passion to create beautiful, functional, timeless products remains rooted in the company’s design DNA, ensuring his memory lives on.
Our values continue to run through our design philosophy, products, service, brand, and story. They are integral to everything we do, ensuring that our legacy will last well into the future.