Alice Welch reflects on life and legacy as we mark International Women’s Day

Iconic women and embracing change… Joint Managing Director Alice Welch reflects on her life and career as we mark International Women’s Day.

As we celebrate our 70th anniversary, Alice - who is Joint Managing Director of Robert Welch alongside her brother Rupert - takes a moment to look back at a company built on a foundation of design excellence.

Started in 1955 by her father Robert, today we employ more than 60 hand-picked staff in operations ranging from product design to HR – 40 of them women.

Where it began

Alice started working in her father’s darkroom in the Seventies, developing photographs of his silver and product designs.

Robert recognised and encouraged her artistic flair as she moved from window dressing in the Studio Shop through to taking the lead on brochure design and PR, eventually becoming Marketing Director before taking the Joint MD’s role.

Design DNA

Growing up in a creative household, design and innovation are in Alice’s DNA. She joined Robert Welch in 1993, and soon after, the company began to manufacture in its own name for the first time.

An important – and enduring – Stanton cutlery order from Pizza Express heralded a new era of growth and change, underpinned by her father’s values.

Robert Welch has come a long way since then, with more than 140 million pieces of our cutlery, tableware, homeware and kitchen knives in use in almost every country in the world.

SHOP CUTLERY

Like father, like daughter

As the daughter of a design icon, Robert’s shoes are big ones to fill – but his legacy is everywhere, and Alice ensures the business leans into this, however seismic the change.

“Starting out in the shop 25 years ago, we serviced our small mail order business from the flat above. After several iterations of ever-growing rented warehouses, we now operate from a beautiful modern eco warehouse near Chipping Campden. The day that Rupert and I dug the first spade of soil, I felt keenly that Dad would have been immensely proud.”

Where it began

Alice started working in her father’s darkroom in the Seventies, developing photographs of his silver and product designs.

Robert recognised and encouraged her artistic flair as she moved from window dressing in the Studio Shop through to taking the lead on brochure design and PR, eventually becoming Marketing Director before taking the Joint MD’s role.

Design DNA

Growing up in a creative household, design and innovation are in Alice’s DNA. She joined Robert Welch in 1993, and soon after, the company began to manufacture in its own name for the first time.

An important – and enduring – Stanton cutlery order from Pizza Express heralded a new era of growth and change, underpinned by her father’s values.

Robert Welch has come a long way since then, with more than 140 million pieces of our cutlery, tableware, homeware and kitchen knives in use in almost every country in the world.

SHOP CUTLERY

Like father, like daughter

As the daughter of a design icon, Robert’s shoes are big ones to fill – but his legacy is everywhere, and Alice ensures the business leans into this, however seismic the change.

“Starting out in the shop 25 years ago, we serviced our small mail order business from the flat above. After several iterations of ever-growing rented warehouses, we now operate from a beautiful modern eco warehouse near Chipping Campden. The day that Rupert and I dug the first spade of soil, I felt keenly that Dad would have been immensely proud.”

Where it began

Alice started working in her father’s darkroom in the Seventies, developing photographs of his silver and product designs.

Robert recognised and encouraged her artistic flair as she moved from window dressing in the Studio Shop through to taking the lead on brochure design and PR, eventually becoming Marketing Director before taking the Joint MD’s role.

Design DNA

Growing up in a creative household, design and innovation are in Alice’s DNA. She joined Robert Welch in 1993, and soon after, the company began to manufacture in its own name for the first time.

An important – and enduring – Stanton cutlery order from Pizza Express heralded a new era of growth and change, underpinned by her father’s values.

Robert Welch has come a long way since then, with more than 140 million pieces of our cutlery, tableware, homeware and kitchen knives in use in almost every country in the world.

SHOP CUTLERY

Like father, like daughter

As the daughter of a design icon, Robert’s shoes are big ones to fill – but his legacy is everywhere, and Alice ensures the business leans into this, however seismic the change.

“Starting out in the shop 25 years ago, we serviced our small mail order business from the flat above. After several iterations of ever-growing rented warehouses, we now operate from a beautiful modern eco warehouse near Chipping Campden. The day that Rupert and I dug the first spade of soil, I felt keenly that Dad would have been immensely proud.”

It's a family affair

More than 40 women work at Robert Welch, many in key roles from our Head of Design to our Brand Manager, our Company Archivist to the Head of Sales UK (Trade). Alice talks about their contribution to an ever-growing global brand.

“The women who do and have worked at Robert Welch have inputted creatively and intellectually to the company’s growth at all levels. I am so proud of all of them and of course our wonderful male employees as well.”

Alice's inspirations

No man – or woman – is an island, and there are three women who have and continue to inspire Alice’s life and work.

“My dear friend Virginia Stourton, who is now close to 90, has had three successful careers in her life, quite an achievement.”

She also names British fashion designer Margaret Howell’s “relentless and resolute vision” – and the feeling is mutual. A long-time admirer of Robert Welch stainless-steel cutlery, Margaret describes it as the “best of our heritage of timeless, functional design”.

Lastly, Alice pays tribute to her late mother, Patricia, who married Robert in 1959. “She was a force of nature, and never dull,” she says.

Rupert and Alice Welch, who continue their father’s design legacy at Robert Welch.

Life lessons

If Alice could give one piece of business advice to her younger self, what would it be?

“Never be afraid of change,” she says. “However monumental it appears. Life moves you and tests you. Just believe you can do it.”

OUR LEGACY

It's a family affair

More than 40 women work at Robert Welch, many in key roles from our Head of Design to our Brand Manager, our Company Archivist to the Head of Sales UK (Trade). Alice talks about their contribution to an ever-growing global brand.

“The women who do and have worked at Robert Welch have inputted creatively and intellectually to the company’s growth at all levels. I am so proud of all of them and of course our wonderful male employees as well.”

Alice's inspirations

No man – or woman – is an island, and there are three women who have and continue to inspire Alice’s life and work.

“My dear friend Virginia Stourton, who is now close to 90, has had three successful careers in her life, quite an achievement.”

She also names British fashion designer Margaret Howell’s “relentless and resolute vision” – and the feeling is mutual. A long-time admirer of Robert Welch stainless-steel cutlery, Margaret describes it as the “best of our heritage of timeless, functional design”.

Lastly, Alice pays tribute to her late mother, Patricia, who married Robert in 1959. “She was a force of nature, and never dull,” she says.

Rupert and Alice Welch, who continue their father’s design legacy at Robert Welch.

Life lessons

If Alice could give one piece of business advice to her younger self, what would it be?

“Never be afraid of change,” she says. “However monumental it appears. Life moves you and tests you. Just believe you can do it.”

OUR LEGACY

It's a family affair

More than 40 women work at Robert Welch, many in key roles from our Head of Design to our Brand Manager, our Company Archivist to the Head of Sales UK (Trade). Alice talks about their contribution to an ever-growing global brand.

“The women who do and have worked at Robert Welch have inputted creatively and intellectually to the company’s growth at all levels. I am so proud of all of them and of course our wonderful male employees as well.”

Alice's inspirations

No man – or woman – is an island, and there are three women who have and continue to inspire Alice’s life and work.

“My dear friend Virginia Stourton, who is now close to 90, has had three successful careers in her life, quite an achievement.”

She also names British fashion designer Margaret Howell’s “relentless and resolute vision” – and the feeling is mutual. A long-time admirer of Robert Welch stainless-steel cutlery, Margaret describes it as the “best of our heritage of timeless, functional design”.

Lastly, Alice pays tribute to her late mother, Patricia, who married Robert in 1959. “She was a force of nature, and never dull,” she says.

Rupert and Alice Welch, who continue their father’s design legacy at Robert Welch.

Life lessons

If Alice could give one piece of business advice to her younger self, what would it be?

“Never be afraid of change,” she says. “However monumental it appears. Life moves you and tests you. Just believe you can do it.”

OUR LEGACY