November 1964 – December 2024
It is with immense sadness that we announce the sudden passing of Adrian Blundell on 29th December 2024.
Adrian started his career in the ceramics industry in 1989 when he set up the Decorative Tile Works factory at the Jackfield Tile Museum. The company was one of the first to be supported using the Prince’s Business Trust support scheme. Here Adrian was instrumental in bringing back the manufacture of decorative tiles using traditional manufacturing techniques and skills within the original Craven Dunnill & Co. factory. In April 2000, the Decorative Tile Works became Craven Dunnill Jackfield, part of the Craven Dunnill group, of which Adrian was Production Director.
During his time in the industry, he worked on many prestigious projects including the restoration of numerous London Underground stations, the encaustic pavements at the Houses of Parliament and the Harrods food halls in Knightsbridge, to name a few, all of which he was incredibly proud of.
In 2022 he took on a career with HENI as their ceramics, glass and concrete production manager working with the artists Brian Clark and Damien Hirst.
Adrian was a member of the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers, gaining Freedom of the City of London in 2018, and also a committee member for the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, helping to support the skills and careers of aspiring makers in the UK craft sector.
Adrian will be remembered for his endless enthusiasm, knowledge and passion by all that met him and will be a great loss to the tiles and ceramics industry.
