Today
David reflects on the past five years and has high hopes for the future, with, as he constantly boasts, a team he is very proud of.
To celebrate, and after many months in the planning, the team at Tudor Jones & Co is extremely proud to announce the arrival of its new website.
Words by Sue and Sarah. Website by Garry Crick of Luno Web Design. Product photos courtesy of Simon Everett.
2010s
July 2015 Sue Sabourin arrives to work alongside David as his PA, taking care of paperwork and finances, and frees David up to work on site in his electrical business.
Unexpectedly, in September 2015, Tudor passes away. David is determined to keep his father’s legacy alive and keeps the business running, maintaining the name of Tudor Jones & Co. With Sue’s support in running the office and daily co-ordination of the workshop, Colin was happy to fill in the gaps of knowledge, while David reconnected with his father’s business.
October 2017 Colin takes ill and also passes away. Although another major loss, David joins forces with Val. Val Wilson Leathergoods ceases trading and the team reunites, merging with Tudor Jones & Co to create the company we know today.
Alison takes on the role of Factory Manager. Some say she was brave, but in fact, she has been training for this role for years and is an excellent production manager.
Stephanie continues working alongside Alison, this time on a part-time basis, while caring for her family.
Sue and David work together to learn about the wealth of new materials, products and pricing and decide to bring the 30 year old company into the 21st century with an online presence.
Sarah Horner, David’s aunt joins as Marketing & Design Leader, taking on artwork for visuals, block-making and creating the first Tudor Jones & Co website to build the business’ online presence.
2018 David and Val took Tudor Jones & Co to the International Hospitality Exhibition, an event David knew his Dad was planning to attend.
2020 The Covid lockdown takes its toll on everyone in the hospitality sector and over the following two years, the business sees the retirements of Val Wilson (October 2020), Bill Leach (July 2022) and Bill Longman (October 2022).
In June 2021 it is time to look to the future and welcome a young trainee to the team; Oliver Hill is working closely with Bill Longman to learn all that he can before Bill’s planned retirement. Alison asserts that Oliver is the best find ever; he listens, learns and has a great eye for detail. Oliver quickly becomes the King of Barchester Products.
Kevin Jones (no relation to David) joins to work on the preparation of materials in readiness for Alison and Oliver to finesse the final products.
2000s
In the early 2000s David and his best friend Tony Murray travel to Australia where they make the decision to train as electricians.
In 2007, now fully qualified, David and Tony formalise their business partnership as Murray & Jones Electrical Contractors Ltd and share office and storage space at the Tudor Jones & Co workshop.
1990s
The partnership Tudor Crane dissolves in 1991 and Tudor moves the business to Unit 14 on Blenheim Close to establish Tudor Jones & Co.
Now under sole ownership, the business begins taking on orders and employing many of the same staff, including Alison Lambert, Stephanie Harnett and Bill Leach.
Bill Longman, who worked with Alison at the bookbinders, joins the team in the early 1990s.
During this time Colin continues to build his new business working from home, forming Val Wilson Leathergoods, as Val’s name is synonymous in the hospitality world with high-quality leathergoods. Colin and Val open up a workshop opposite Tudor Jones & Co on Blenheim Close. Still working together, sharing knowledge, friendship and factory equipment, their close association continues for many years.
1980s
1982 Tudor Jones begins working with leather in a small workshop, next door to Woolworths in Margate. David Jones has some early memories of these days, causing mischief on frequent visits to the workshop with his Mum and brother.
Two years later, Tudor begins a new venture in 1984 with two business partners, under the name of Tudor Crane, initially stationed opposite the Nayland Rock in Margate, and then on Hornet Close in Broadstairs.
A close childhood friend of Tudor, Colin Sharp, joins as a master craftsman followed soon after by Val Wilson as their lead salesperson. Val is constantly on the road, forming lifelong relationships and securing orders from the best hotels in London and beyond.
in 1984 Alison Lambert, trained as a bookbinder, joins Tudor and Colin to help out now and then, and when the bookbinders closes, Alison joins the team full-time.
Bill Leach works closely with Colin and becomes the team’s lead carpenter.
Stephanie Harnett starts work not long after Alison, making samples and bespoke one-off products.
