Professor Simon Olding has retired as Director of the Crafts Study Centre, having celebrated his twentieth anniversary in the role this summer. Simon joined the University for the Creative Arts in the year 2002 as Director, becoming of Professor of Modern Crafts in 2004.

Simon has held many senior roles in museums, galleries and art organisations since starting his career at Glasgow Museums and Art Gallery in 1979. This has included working as a specialist ceramics curator, as a museum director (Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum, Bournemouth) as well as periods in agency and advisory work (London Museums Officer and Assistant Director, Area Museums Service for South Eastern England) and as Director of Policy and Research for the Heritage Lottery Fund. 

Simon has been at the helm of the Crafts Study Centre since its move to Farnham from Bath in the early 2000s. During this time, he has established a vibrant exhibitions programme, working with leading artist-makers to put on shows featuring the best of contemporary craft as well as exhibitions which draw on the CSC’s own collections. He has overseen the acquisition of some very significant object and archive collections, including the archive of the letter-cutter Ralph Beyer and the world textiles collection and archive of the weaver Peter Collingwood.

As well as teaching BA and MA students, Simon has supervised many PhD students researching craft and related subjects, passing on his skill and learning to the next generation of craft researchers. His own research has focussed on 20th century and contemporary studio ceramics, and the history of craft organisations and of craft practice and guilds located in south-west England. He is a prolific writer, regularly writing reviews, essays and forewords, and in recent years has published books on the etchings of Bernard Leach and Leach’s own collection of ceramics. He has continued to play a large role in the wider crafts sector and has held many trusteeships and board positions throughout his career, including most recently President of the Walford Mill Crafts Centre and Chair of The Leach Pottery.

Alison Britton, Vice Chair of the CSC Trustees has said: 'I have so enjoyed working with Simon, for all the things I have learned in his company, on purchasing trips for instance, with the pleasure of choosing things for our collections; and above all his quiet sincerity, rapport, and intellect.’

Greta Bertram, CSC Curator has said: ‘Simon has been an incredible colleague, a wonderful boss and a great friend to so many of us during his time at the Crafts Study Centre and it won’t be the same without him.’