Dartington Crystal becomes Devon Delivers ambassador

One of Devon’s most prestigious brands has become an Ambassador for the Devon Delivers programme.

Dartington Crystal is preparing to mark its 50th anniversary next year and, in the lead up to its celebrations, it has given its backing to Devon County Council’s inward investment initiative.

The company, based in Torrington, is Britain’s last remaining large-scale manufacturer of handmade crystal glass. Since being founded in Devon in 1967 it has maintained a proud heritage of glass making.

Dartington Crystal is well established as a premium brand. Its products are now enjoyed in the First Class cabin with British Airways and its hand-made bottles are used for Pernod Ricard’s luxury whisky brand Chivas Regal. Specially commissioned pieces include presentation items for the English Football Association, 10 Downing Street, RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. Dartington also supplies glassware to the Queen and Prince Charles through its sister brand Royal Brierley, which holds two Royal Warrants and is England’s oldest name in crystal glass.

The Sharon glass design, created by Dartington’s first chief designer and director Frank Thrower in 1971, was selected by London’s Victoria and Albert Museum to feature in its ‘100 Best Ever Products’ exhibition.

Around 40 businesses have now been signed up to the Devon Delivers Ambassador scheme, which last year marked its first anniversary. Ambassadors play a role in encouraging companies to consider relocating to the county by highlighting the benefits of living and working in Devon.

Managing Director of Dartington Crystal Neil Hughes said: “Dartington Crystal’s 50th anniversary next year will be a milestone for us, and as we gear up for 2017 it’s great to be able to support the Devon Delivers Ambassador programme. We’re proud to have maintained and been true to our Devon roots. We continue to prosper and we are a major employer in our area. Our Devon site has proven to be a real tourist destination with more than 200,000 people a year visiting our Torrington factory. Dartington has nurtured and maintained a very unique skill-set at Torrington that is integral to our success.”

You can hear more from Neil here.

Councillor Andrew Leadbetter, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Economy and Growth, said: “Dartington Crystal is one of Devon’s, and indeed Britain’s, most well established and well loved brands. We’re proud that such a renowned company is supporting our Devon Delivers programme. They have demonstrated how being based in Devon has worked for them and they have shown over almost half a century how to grow in our county. The Ambassador initiative features Devon businesses of all sizes, but what they have in common is an appreciation of being based in the county. The scheme looks to promote Devon as an excellent place to live and work and esteemed companies such as Dartington Crystal perfectly illustrate what our county has to offer to achieve that work/life balance.”

Dartington Crystal is also among the businesses in Devon that feature in a new Devon Delivers campaign being displayed at Exeter Airport. The campaign showcases some of Devon’s most successful businesses who are helping the County Council spread the message that Devon is a great place for business nationally and internationally.

For more information visit www.investdevon.co.uk/ambassadors