Walpole is a non-profit organisation that has acted as the voice of the British luxury industry in the UK and overseas for the past 22 years. Its annual Walpole Brands of Tomorrow scheme is designed to nurture and support the UK’s finest new talent within the luxury sector.
The handful of companies that are finally chosen receive a bespoke mentoring and coaching programme sponsored by law firm Mishcon de Reya to help them develop their full potential.
The judging panel is comprised of leading individuals from top media, venture capital, retail and marketing companies from the UK luxury industry.
Now Patterson Boatworks, the Cumbria-based builder of bespoke timber and composite yachts and tenders, has been selected to become a Walpole Brands of Tomorrow 2012
They received the award alongside seven others, selected from an original 100 applicants. The other winners included a chocolatier, a children’s clothing designer, a lifestyle accessories brand and a maker of luxury headgear. Patterson is the first company from the UK leisure marine industry to be nominated since the award scheme started in 2007.
John Ayton, founder and chairman of Walpole Brands of Tomorrow, commented: “We chose Patterson Boatworks because we were very impressed by the quality of the design and building of the vessels, the incorporation of modern technology especially the application of clean propulsion, and the degree of customisation. It was a business we admired and felt we could help as it developed its business internationally – it has great potential.”
In order to be eligible for the scheme, companies are required to demonstrate the highest standards of quality, style and craftsmanship, as well as entrepreneurial management, a clear vision for the future of the brand and a turnover between £100,000 and £2 million.
Patterson Boatworks was founded by Simon and Hamish Patterson in 2004, and together they head up a team of experienced boat-builders who specialise in timber and composite boat-building. Using the very best of today’s resin and reinforcement technologies combined with traditional timber techniques and materials, the company was set up to offer a complete boat-building and restoration service for modern racing yachts, superyacht tenders, traditional and composite boats.
Patterson Boatworks supplies the bespoke market that values performance, styling and finishing, as well as the racing market that is looking for innovative construction methods and an informed knowledge of modern timber, composite hull and deck construction techniques. The company endeavours to source timber locally, with oak, Douglas fir, cherry and other fruit woods providing the mainstay of production, and tropical hardwoods such as mahogany and teak being very carefully selected for quality and sustainability.
Simon Patterson of Patterson Boatworks added: “We are delighted to have received the recognition and access to expert advice that comes with this award. The opportunities that it presents are a once in a lifetime event and we look forward to making the most of them to build an international brand.”
The Patterson yard currently has two 42ft day-sailers (one for Italy and the other for Australia), five superyacht tenders and a Hoek 37 pilot classic in build. Its Elektra range of composite timber superyacht tenders with electric propulsion designed by Nigel Irens has also received wide acclaim.