Christopher Bailey, the former chief creative officer and president of Burberry, alongside a small group of investors, has acquired Burleigh Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent.
Bailey spent 17 years at Burberry, helping to transform the British heritage brand into a global luxury fashion house before departing in 2018. His acquisition of Burleigh marks one of his most significant business ventures since leaving the company.
Founded in 1851, Burleigh is one of Britain’s best-known ceramics manufacturers and operates from Middleport Pottery in Stoke-on-Trent. The company is renowned for its traditional tissue transfer printing technique, a highly skilled process that remains central to many of its designs. According to Burleigh, it is the last heritage pottery in the world still applying this method entirely by hand.
The acquisition follows a challenging period for the business. Burleigh’s previous owner, Denby Pottery, entered administration back in March amid rising energy and employment costs. Burleigh confirmed this afternoon that the new ownership and investment will ensure production at Middleport Pottery continues without interruption.
In a statement announcing the acquisition, Bailey said he had “always loved Burleigh pottery” and described the company as having an “extraordinary history”. He added that he is committed to protecting the craftsmanship and character that define the business while helping to shape its future as a British design and ceramics house.
As Burleigh approaches 175 years of production, the investment secures the continuation of its historic manufacturing operations and traditional craft practices in Stoke-on-Trent, while opening a new chapter under Bailey’s ownership.
Photography courtesy of Burleigh Pottery.
