The British School of Leather Technology
History / The Future
1444: A trade guild (The Leathersellers Company) was formed by tanners working in the City of London during the 13th century and received a Royal Charter from King Henry VI in 1444. Subsequent charters were granted (notably in 1604) to enable Leathersellers to carry out its original function, namely the protection of trade and the maintenance of high standards in leather production. However its function has changed in recent years.
1894: With the support of the Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, courses in leather manufacture were established at the Herold's Institute, London . Almost simultaneously technical instruction commenced in Northampton .
1909: Leathersellers Company erected a building dedicated to education for the leather industry near to Tower Bridge in London , the Leathersellers Technical College.
1951: The 1944 Education Act extended the provision of facilities for technical education. In 1951 the Leathersellers Technical College provided the nucleus for the National Leathersellers College , the National College for the leather industry.
1978: Prince Michael of Kent opened the National Leathersellers Centre in 1978. The National Leathersellers College and the Leather Department at Northampton merged in a new purpose designed building at the Park Campus of Nene College. At the same time the British Leather Confederation relocated to the Science Park nearby.
1991: In order to better reflect the international nature of the establishment it was renamed British School of Leather Technology.
1992: After successfully operating Diploma and Certificate courses for nearly 100 years BSLT launched a BSc (Hons) Leather Technology. In the same year, with the support of Leathersellers Company a research group was established and the first MPhil was awarded.
1995: Taught MSc Leather Technology launched for graduate entrants to the industry.
1996: First PhD awarded in Leather Technology. This was also the first PhD achieved in the College as a whole.
1999: Nene College designated as University College Northampton.
2000: Formation of a joint venture company with BLC called BLC Leathersellers Research Centre to undertake joint research.
2005: University College Northampton designated as the University of Northampton
Future development of courses will increase flexibility by using electronic communication and distance learning. At the same time the value of the University experience must not be forgotten. In nearly 100 years we have trained students from over 80 countries. We will continue in our role of advancing the international leather industry.
