9 INDUSTRY NEWS Industry news Latest news from the craf industry Wrendale scoops everywoman award Hannah Dale owner of Wrendale has won the award for the most inspirational woman who has been running a business trading for six to nine years. The 19th annual NatWest everywoman Awards, held December 2021, celebrated the UK’s most inspiring female entrepreneurs, recognising their outstanding achievements during one of the most challenging periods for businesses. Bringing together some of the UK’s most successful business owners, the ceremony featured the stories of many extraordinary women who, against the odds, have brought business concepts to reality, creating jobs, opportunities and global brands. Hannah had a successful city career until the financial crash of 2008 left her facing redundancy. Returning to contemplate her options at the family farm, she revived her hobby of painting animals and country scenes. She initially developed a small range of greetings cards and took to local gift shops to gauge interest. The response was encouraging and persuaded Hannah to expand into giftware and homeware. From a standing start 10 years ago, Hannah has built Wrendale into an international brand turning over £8 million annually and providing jobs for more than 60 employees. Covid threatened to derail the business given its wholesale model, but by supporting her retailers with strong content and digital assets, she helped them to pivot their businesses online and sales rebounded with popular lines including a motivational quote box, journals and notelets. This year’s winners span multiple sectors including food, fashion, drinks, health, beauty, energy, IT and service industries. All are united in one common purpose - to inspire future generations of entrepreneurs and to leave the world a better place than they found it. The 2021 finalists were chosen by a judging panel comprising some of the UK’s top business figures including Chrissie Rucker OBE (The White Company), Helen Pattinson (Montezuma), Rosaleen Blair CBE (Alexander Mann Solutions), Roni Savage (Jomas Associates), Annoushka Ducas MBE (Links of London/Annoushka), Melissa Odabash, Kelly Hoppen CBE and Sam Smith (FinnCap). For further information, visit www.everywoman.com/ewawards New name for Devon Guild of Craftsmen MAKE Southwest is the new name for Devon Guild of Craftsmen, the crafts promotion charity based in Riverside Mill at Bovey Tracey, Devon. This renaming represents a period of exciting change for the charity and reflects its ambitious vision for an inclusive crafts culture throughout south-west England. In addition to this more contemporary and inclusive name will be a major creative exhibition programme; an expanding, dynamic public education programme; rebranding of its visual identity; and plans to improve the building. All this will drive forward the creation of a crafts culture for all. The name – MAKE Southwest – recognises the organisation’s wider remit to promote all that is best in crafts in the region: from Cornwall north to Gloucestershire, and east across into Dorset, including the major urban centres of Plymouth, Bristol and Bath. The charity was established in 1986 by a ‘guild’ of distinguished craft makers who had collaborated in exhibiting and selling their work since 1955. It continues to energetically represent and celebrate the many talented makers from across the south-west area. With the help of Arts Council funding, MAKE Southwest increasingly offers craft education to the public as well, and encourages participation by people of all ages and backgrounds in making craft. A complete reworking of the visual identity of the organisation, its logos and website will complete the transformation. For further information, visit www.crafts.org.uk
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