Coupland Leather becomes finalist for prestigious Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards amidst six figure turnover and global growth
Founded in January 2020, just six weeks before the country went into a national lockdown, North East-based entrepreneur and luxury leathersmith Stuart Coupland, of Coupland Leather, is celebrating being shortlisted in The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, often referred to as the “Grammys of Entrepreneurship,” which celebrates the achievements of the UK's most dynamic and innovative businesses.
The achievement comes as the company hit six-figure turnover in 2023 having achieved 56 per cent growth year-on-year and now exporting its products to 24 countries – with more to come.
The Allica Bank Great British Entrepreneur Awards receive over 5,000 entries every year with the finalists this year having a combined turnover of £2.9 billion and together employing approximately 20,000 people.
On the announcement of the shortlist, Lex Deak, CEO of Basket which is sponsoring the Maker & Creator Entrepreneur of the Year category said: "This has been such a strong category this year and the Great British businesses listed on this year's shortlist should be extremely proud of their hard work, and the contribution they are making. I look forward to meeting many of you at the final in November."
Previous winners of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards include the founders of BrewDog, MyEnergi, Zilch, Grenade, and ClearScore, who have gone on to become household names. Steven Bartlett, Entrepreneur, Speaker, Investor, Author, BBC Dragon, and the host of one of Europe's biggest podcasts, 'The Diary of a CEO' commented: "For me, this is the Grammys of Entrepreneurship!"
Stuart Coupland, owner of Coupland Leather said: “The brand has received some amazing attention and we’re lucky to have some fantastic, highly supportive customers. Since taking Coupland Leather full time in 2020, I’ve been able to review and adapt my business to cope with the increasing demand for my products. In 2020, I handcrafted just over 440 items, where last year in 2023, that increased to just shy of 2,000.
“By investing in new equipment and refining our processes I’ve been able to offer our high-quality standards to companies on a wholesale basis and avoid a lot of cost increases on our products for domestic clients, whereas other companies have had to increase theirs.’’
Coupland Leather has seen significant export success due to growing popularity in the United States where the company has sent items to 18 different states, as well as Dubai, Belgium, Hong Kong and Australia, combined with increased demand for its high end, bespoke items.
Coupland Leather handcrafts and designs all its leather products in house, in North Yorkshire. Clients can speak directly to the person who will be making their item or gift, ensuring that what they’re expecting is what they will get. There is a wide range of dyes, threads and customisation of designs available, so the finished product not only matches the customer’s style but is also perfect for the intended use. There are also several options for personalisation, from stamped lettering, to laser engraving, bespoke 3D printed stamps and for the company’s long standing corporate clients, high detail, machined brass stamps.