Leather Strategy: 2024-2029
This strategy reflects an ambition to support a thriving and connected UK leather industry. We identify where we can add the most value and impact through our networks and partnerships, as well as providing more opportunity through new and existing grant funding programmes.
Our vision
A thriving, sustainable and connected leather industry offering opportunity to tanners, designers, makers and conservators.
Our approach
As a supporter of the leather industry for hundreds of years, we hope to use our connections and resources to provide opportunities for individuals to develop skills and knowledge in the production, preservation, and use of leather.
This approach focuses on: opportunity and connection.
Underpinning this strategy is the fact that leather is a sustainable and versatile material.
Long term goals
1. Leather is a material of opportunity in the UK, produced locally and utilised across a range of purposes by makers and designers.
2. A thriving and connected industry utilising Leather exists (including technical workers, producers, makers and designers).
1. Leather is a material of opportunity in the UK, produced locally and utilised across a range of purposes by makers and designers
Key Activities
Providing grants and funding to:
- Support technical leather education, training and skill development in the UK today.
- Encourage and facilitate a pipeline of individuals skilled in the production and use of leather for the future.
- Preserve the history of the tanning industry and the Leathersellers, and support conservation skills.
Utilising Leathersellers’ connections and resources to:
- Support industry campaigns and initiatives (such as Leather Naturally) to convey the sustainability, versatility and opportunity of leather to members, alumni, and existing and potential education partners.
2. A thriving and connected industry utilising Leather exists (including technical workers, producers, makers and designers)
Key Activities
Managing and leveraging our network:
- Intentionally connecting individuals, organisations and businesses.
- Engaging with leather and education partners / livery companies / funders / businesses.
- Providing opportunities to our alumni network members (e.g. commissioning of items).
Our Approach
The strategy will taken forward in a way that:
- Enables the building and maintaining of skills and practice in tanning, leatherworking and design at all levels for the future.
- Takes into account the modern day needs of industry, makers and society.
- Promotes peer learning, and keeps the Leathersellers engaged with industry bodies and livery partners.
- Celebrates success and innovation, showcasing the modern-day leather industry.
- Inspires engagement with leather as a sustainable and versatile material.
- Develops long-term, trusted and open partnerships.
- Enables collaboration / innovation.
- Draws together activities and resources across the Company and Foundation.
- Meets funder best practice.
