Theo Fennell

Personal life

Theo Fennell's full name is Alister Theodore Fennell. He lives in London with his wife Louise (née MacGregor), an author. The son of an army family, he travelled all over the world as a child. He was educated at Eton College, and then went to art school at York and later to the Byam Shaw School of Art in London.

The couple have two daughters, Emerald, a writer and actor, and Coco, a clothing/fashion designer. Persistent rumours that they were christened, respectively, Bezique and Passerelle, have been proved false.

Career

Fennell's first job was as an apprentice and designer at Edward Barnard, a family-run silversmiths in Hatton Garden, London, then 350 years old, and he has spent time in a workshop most days of his life since then. He went solo in a small studio of his own in Hatton Garden, designing and creating silverware and then jewellery, before founding his eponymous company in Fulham Road, London, in 1982.

In 2006, Theo Fennell Plc stock was listed on Alternative Investment Market. By August 2013 the share price stood at less than 10% of the high it had reached in early 2007. The company has been loss-making for several years. In 2009, in an effort to stem continuing losses, a management shake-up saw Fennell rejoin the Board, having previously stood down in order to allow free rein to a new management team. On 25 August, the company announced that as a result of a proposed refinancing, and acquisition of shares by private equity investors, it would cease its AIM listing in October 2013, subject to the necessary approvals.

Theo Fennell creates bespoke trophies and gifts for companies, charities and events such as The Italian Formula One Grand Prix, The Monaco Formula One Grand Prix, The Dubai Championship Stakes, the Man of the Match Trophy for the FA Cup Final and the Nordorff Robbins Silver Clef Awards. As a liveryman of Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Fennell currently has apprentices training in his workshop.

Theo Fennell’s pieces are now in private collections.

Events and Activities

In 2007 Theo Fennell held an exhibition at Royal Academy of Art, Burlington Gardens. Entitled ‘Show Off!’ it consisted of an array of installations, dioramas, paintings, presentations and sculptures, each showcasing a piece of Fennell’s jewellery.

In 2008 Theo Fennell founded The Original Design Partnership, a design consultancy, specialising in jewellery, silver and curios while also working in other design fields. In this environment Fennell has been able to work with and mentor young British designers.

In October 2010, Theo Fennell launched his first range of Silver Jewellery, ALIAS. The collection was designed to be accessible for a wider audience while maintaining originality of design and quality of craftsmanship.