Get to know a little bit more about us – our expertise, our passions, our style...
Meet Steve. Responsible for all things Commercial – Tech, Strategy and Operations.
With a long family history of multiple family members working in the ceramics industry, Steve’s first memory of pottery was when he was around 8 years old – going to work with his Dad, who was a Figure Maker at Wedgwood, and watching him applying hand-pressed moulds of figures and motifs onto the famous Jasperware.
Steve then went on to work at Wedgwood himself – inspired by Wedgwood’s success, philanthropic nature and innovative designs. He's even thrown a pot on the potter’s wheel, and it was pretty good!
“Working at Wedgwood felt like a family business at one stage. When I first started at Wedgwood in 1997, on a YTS (Youth Training Scheme), I was straight out of high school. At that time, my dad worked there, my brother, and two of my cousins. We knew lots of people working there. My dad worked there for nearly 40 years and it's where he met my mum. Fast forward from when I started… I ended up meeting my wife at Wedgwood, and now we have two lovely boys."
"I feel I owe my life to Wedgwood. I think my blood runs Wedgwood blue."
Describing his interior style as “modern, eclectic and homely”, he has three favourite mugs on rotation at home. First is a Royal Doulton Winnie the Pooh ‘To catch a Heffalump mug (the perfect size, with a slightly curved lip). Second is his Pin Stripe Mini Mug – a collaboration between Jasper Conran and Wedgwood (a nice size for a strong coffee). Third is his Royal Copenhagen mug (sans-handle, it has a nice ribbed texture to it).
Finding inspiration in nature, he enjoys walks locally and further afield, across moors, woods or up a mountain.
Most looking forward to telling stories and selling products, Steve gets a buzz from selling and supporting local artists, although knows there’s still lots to learn about brands, products and designers.
Why start Home of Ceramics now? “Because the industry and area needs a lift. It's full of creative people and businesses, and I'm worried we'll lose them and our heritage."
"This is the start of trying to support the area, using our knowledge and expertise in the digital space for something bigger than us.”
Connect with Steve on LinkedIn.
Next, get to know Home of Ceramics Creative Co-Founder, Amy Harvey...
Steve's Answers
What are the three main focus areas you're responsible for at HoC?
Tech, Strategy, Commercial.
Why did you start HoC?
Because I hate seeing the industry around me deteriorate and crumble. We have some amazingly talented and creative people in Stoke and Staffordshire. I want to help lift the industry by giving all of those involved in ceramics a central hub to showcase and sell their products. I see too many poorly designed, underfunded websites that don't do the artists or manufacturers justice. I want to solve that.
Where did the name come from?
Amy and I were coming up with various names, but it was Amy who mentioned Home of Ceramics. At first, I thought it might be a bit of a mouthful and that we needed something more punchy. However, I believe she's hit the nail on the head. We aim to be the home of ceramics, and we just so happen to live and work in Stoke-on-Trent, which is globally renowned as the home of ceramics too.
What makes you different / your USP?
We're celebrating everyone involved in the process. I once heard that around 60% of the working population in Stoke is connected to the pottery industry in some way. We want to celebrate the process, the clay, the art, the form, as well as the finished product.
What's your connection to The Potteries? Do you have any family that work in the industry?
This is exactly why I love it so much. Working at Wedgwood felt like a family business at one stage. When I first started there in 1997 on a Youth Training Scheme, I was straight out of high school earning £45 per week. At the time, my dad, brother and two cousins all worked there too.
My dad worked at Wedgwood for nearly 40 years, and it's where he met my mum. Years later, I met my wife there and now we have two lovely boys. I genuinely feel I owe my life to Wedgwood. I think my blood runs Wedgwood blue.
Earliest memory of pottery?
Going into work with my dad when I was around eight years old. I remember sitting and watching him work. He was a figure maker, applying hand-pressed moulds of figures and motifs onto the famous Jasperware pieces.
Have you ever made anything ceramic?
I've obviously thrown a pot at Wedgwood. Of course!
Favourite ceramic brand made in Stoke?
Wedgwood. I know I've spoken about Wedgwood a lot, but it's not just the products. Josiah Wedgwood and his family were hugely successful and incredibly philanthropic.
Describe your homeware and interiors style in three words
Modern. Eclectic. Homely.
Favourite ceramic item at home and why? Any weird collections?
Jack the Bulldog by Royal Doulton. It's a limited edition piece and appeared in one of the Daniel Craig James Bond films, No Time To Die.
What's your favourite mug and why?
I actually have three favourites.
The first is a Winnie the Pooh "To Catch a Heffalump" mug by Royal Doulton. It's the perfect size and has a slightly curved lip.
The second is my Jasper Conran Pin Stripe mini mug by Wedgwood, which is ideal for a strong coffee.
The third is a Royal Copenhagen mug. It has no handle and features a lovely ribbed texture.
Your favourite pattern?
I'd have to say Cornucopia by Wedgwood. I'm not entirely sure why. It's not something I'd personally own because it's more traditional and opulent than my usual taste, but there's always been something about it that I admire.
Piece of pottery you wish you owned?
The Portland Vase. Easy.
Favourite factory tour or museum?
Not sure to be honest. Ask me again in six months and I might have a better answer.
Favourite place to go for coffee?
Piccoloco in Newcastle-under-Lyme. I occasionally work from there and they do some excellent roasts and special blends.
Favourite place to go for nice food?
Fellinis in Ambleside in the Lake District is a favourite. Closer to home, Chris Cohen's HIDDEN restaurant is the epitome of hospitality for a special occasion. I also enjoy 85 Secret Garden in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
That said, I'm a sucker for a good curry and I'm not particularly fussy. Spending time with family and friends is usually what matters most.
Favourite place to go for afternoon tea?
Wedgwood does a great afternoon tea, although it's not really my thing.
Favourite place to go to find inspiration?
Nature. Put me in the middle of the woods or on top of a mountain and that's where I feel most inspired.
What would you like to see happen in the next few years in the local ceramics industry?
I'd like to see the industry become a real source of pride. People in Stoke often have a strange relationship with our ceramic brands. They're globally recognised, but many local people can't afford the products they create.
As a result, some people only buy from factory shops or seconds outlets and don't fully appreciate the value of the craftsmanship, design, heritage and prestige behind these brands. Working with clay is a uniquely rewarding experience. It's literally the earth transformed into something beautiful. We should be proud of that tradition and work to protect it.
Dream collaboration between a ceramics brand and... who?
How about Wedgwood and David Bowie creating a Ziggy Stardust collection? Or Royal Doulton collaborating with Grayson Perry?
Maybe Emma Bridgewater and Snoop Dogg... although perhaps not that last one! I did think the collaboration between 1882 Ltd and Robbie Williams was pretty cool.
Favourite pottery fact?
Josiah Wedgwood was Charles Darwin's grandfather. What a family. Their influence on history is incredible.
For a purely pottery-related fact, some of the best clay in the world comes from Cornwall. Manufacturers prize it because it's so white and pure, thanks to unique geological conditions that removed many impurities. Huge quantities were transported from Cornwall to Stoke to support the pottery industry.
What's one thing most people don't know about Stoke-on-Trent that you think they should?
Stoke City FC traces its origins back to 1863, making it one of the oldest football clubs in the world.
Another great fact is that asteroid 33410 Stoke-on-Trent is named after the city. Not many places can say they have an asteroid carrying their name through space. I only discovered that one thanks to AI!
Favourite item on the website currently?
To be confirmed. We're still working on the product range, so ask me again in six months.
What are you most looking forward to about HoC?
Telling stories and selling products. I love supporting local artists and helping them succeed. At the same time, I'm still learning about brands, products and makers myself.
Ultimately, it's all about connection. An artist creates something incredible from the ground beneath our feet, and that creation then connects with someone else.
Why are you starting HoC now?
Because both the industry and the area need a lift. There are so many creative people and businesses here, and I'm concerned that we'll lose them along with our heritage.
This is our attempt to support the area by using our digital knowledge and expertise for something bigger than ourselves.