How Thomas Lyte Came To Be The Trusted Brand Behind The FA Cup
By
12 months ago
Thomas Lyte is a Great British Brand 2024
Thomas Lyte is an entry into our Great British Brands 2024 book.
Thomas Lyte: Great British Brands 2024
‘Last year was frenetic but fantastic, topped off by landing the biggest order in the history of our business. We’ve extended our workshops, which opened in 2018, to over 12,000 sq/ft, so now we’re one of Europe’s largest silversmiths and our business is truly global. Design-led, bespoke silverware is in huge demand.
When we launched in 2005, many luxury goods companies had moved to Asia and we wanted to bring true, handcrafted luxury back to Britain. Currently, I’m working hard with my team to recognise that success is not about firefighting and problemsolving but lateral thinking, finding alternative ways to grow and thrive. It’s why we embrace AI – not to is myopia. After all, traditional skills are always changing – the lathe didn’t exist before 1700. To excel at any traditional craft, you need great tools, so our workshops combine science lab and antiquity harmoniously. I see AI as a wonderful tool, because craft should recognise where modernity and technology leads it.
AI is still in its infancy and while some are afraid of it, the reality is humans will adapt. And for businesses like ours technology is explosively exciting because we can create a fantastic piece of animated silverware to look at it from 360 degrees in all its glory. And technology helps connect with more humans globally, meaning we’re able to work effortlessly with countries all over the world.
‘It’s also essential to our ethos to give back. In our first year we launched the Thomas Lyte Modern Heritage Award with the Craft Council. Contributions like this, along with our latest creation, the Baton of Hope for suicide awareness and prevention, have helped to promote our culture and are ultimately a part of our success. I believe a really great business is an alchemy of fantastic relationships, human service and technical expertise.’
Kevin Baker, founder and CEO
Five Proudest Moments
- Opening the Burlington Arcade store in 2010 and going on to host numerous events there.
- Being one of the youngest brands to be awarded a Royal Warrant by Her Majesty the Queen in 2014 and having that renewed six years later when we were just eight years old.
- Being asked to make the FA Cup, the world’s most iconic football trophy for the oldest national football competition in the world, first played around 1871.
- Opening our London workshop in 2018, bringing leading edge technology like 3D printing, scanning and electroforming to boost and improve handmaking skills.
- Being commissioned by the Royal Warrant Holders Association to design and create the Processional Cross, presented as a gift to Her Majesty The Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.
What I’ve Learnt…
- Surround yourself with the best possible people and then invest in them, engage fully, trust them and let them fly so they exceed their own expectations.
- Have a super-clear mission and set of values and always know where you’re going.
- Always celebrate your successes.
THOMAS LYTE
Building 9, Hurlingham Business Park, London SW6 3DU
+44 (0)20 7751 8844
