Meet the Team - Richard Abdy

Joined Wentworth Pewter: 1996, but he’s supported the family business since he was a youngster.

Role: Customer relationships, product development for one-off pieces, industry ambassador.

Memberships: I’m passionate about supporting the metalwork and design industry as well as championing Sheffield’s heritage in manufacturing. I’m a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Pewterers, Freeman of the Company of Cutlers of Hallamshire, Chair of Association of British Pewter craftsman, trustee of Sheffield Industrial Museums Trust (SIMT).

The craft: I make prototypes of customer’s bespoke designs. I’ve introduced cutting-edge technology with computer aided design (CAD) to make the seemingly impossible become possible.

 

Special projects: Developing unique pieces for Hollywood studios. I also love launching pewter in new markets, for example luxury bathroom products in the US. It’s also inspiring visiting the whisky companies we work with in Scotland and finding out what makes each one stand out, so that we can reflect these unique qualities in the quaichs we design for them.

 

The hallmark of Wentworth Pewter: Even in Sheffield, once the heart of the metal industry, pewtersmithing has become a rare trade. We’ve stood the test of time thanks to our commitment to great customer service and design innovation. We’re constantly pushing the boundaries and bringing new designs to life. Pewtersmithing has been around since medieval times, so there’ll always be a demand for it, but the biggest challenge is finding young people prepared to learn our craft. I’m proud that we’re carrying on the tradition in the 21^st century.