With high-profile names under pressure, Steve Currie, Director of Currie Young – Insolvency & Restructuring, reflects on the importance of early advice, community support, and preserving local heritage — and why there’s still reason for optimism in the region’s ceramics sector.
“The recent liquidation of Royal Stafford and the reported difficulties at Moorcroft have highlighted the continued pressures facing Staffordshire’s ceramics industry. These brands are part of the region’s cultural and economic heritage, and their struggles resonate deeply with local communities and beyond.
As someone who has worked on high-profile appointments within the sector, I’ve seen first-hand both the challenges and the opportunities that exist in times of uncertainty. In particular, my role as Administrator of the Wedgwood Museum Trust — following the collapse of Waterford Wedgwood in 2009 — brought into focus the importance of early and collaborative intervention when heritage, employment, and financial considerations intersect.
That appointment involved managing a highly sensitive situation concerning an internationally significant collection of over 80,000 pieces. The risk was that it would be broken up and sold to meet creditor claims. Through detailed negotiations with government, funders, charitable bodies, and the private sector, we were able to facilitate a solution that secured the collection’s future in Staffordshire. It was a reminder that even under significant financial pressure, it is sometimes possible to achieve outcomes that protect both cultural value and creditor interests.
It would be a travesty if Moorcroft’s own heritage assets — with their rich artistic and historical value — were to be sold off piecemeal or lost to the region. These are not just commercial items; they represent decades of craftsmanship and creative identity. While every case has its complexities, it is always worth asking whether opportunities exist to bring together stakeholders, investors, and community voices to protect what matters — not only for today’s workforce, but for future generations. That was very much the guiding principle in our approach to the Wedgwood Museum Trust, and it’s an approach I continue to advocate where circumstances allow.
Of course, each situation is different. The decisions facing directors, stakeholders and professional advisers in any business — especially one with legacy and emotional value — are never straightforward, and hindsight is always clearer. But what the Wedgwood experience demonstrated is that engaging early, with the right advice and an open mind, can often preserve options that may not otherwise remain available later in the process.
It’s important to stress that this isn’t about second-guessing individual decisions or processes currently under way. Rather, it’s about encouraging the wider sector to continue talking about how best to respond to the evolving economic landscape. The ceramics industry, though historic, is not without future opportunity — particularly for businesses willing to evolve, modernise, and engage proactively with change.
Encouragingly, there is clear evidence of public and political will to protect what remains of the industry. Local MPs have been vocal in their support, and community-led petitions calling for government intervention in recent cases show how strongly people feel about preserving jobs and skills in this part of the country. That momentum is important — and it must be matched by practical, targeted support from central government if the sector is to remain viable in the long term. That might include funding for innovation, incentives for apprenticeships, or more tailored business support for traditional manufacturers navigating a rapidly changing economy.
There is still demand for high-quality, British-made goods. But accessing the right support at the right time — whether that’s strategic financial advice, restructuring expertise or public funding — can be key to converting potential into long-term sustainability.Staffordshire’s ceramics sector has weathered many storms over the centuries.
With the right mix of innovation, early intervention, and strategic support from both private and public sectors, there is every reason to believe it can continue to be a source of pride and prosperity for years to come.”
