Since I was a very young girl I have always liked unusual accessories!

After completing my marketing studies I joined the family owned leather goods manufacturer, Frederick Wich, and swiftly learnt the ropes under the guidance of owner Martin Murphy. I am forever grateful to Martin. He taught me everything I know, from understanding the processes on the factory floor to the selection of raw material from international tanneries.

A few years later I became Marketing Manager of a book binding company and created a new range of leather products. It was a great success and I decided to take the plunge and set up my own corporate gift business. Names of corporate clients are not disclosed. Quite simply, we have friends in high places! We design and supply their gifts, many of which are bespoke, designed in house and tailored to our customer’s special event. We gift-wrap and provide printed ribbons. All clients have to do is give them away!

Soon my corporate clients were asking if they could buy individual gifts for themselves and for friends. After much persuasion, in 2003 I expanded my business and let the public loose on my quirky range of designs. I add new designs each season, working closely with tanneries worldwide to produce our beautiful colours and selecting fabrics that I know will appeal to my loyal band of customers.

Something I truly enjoy is mentoring students. Team Slater has welcomed several work experience students over the years.

They come for one week aged 15 on the National Curriculum work experience scheme and continue to visit through 6th form and then university, gaining invaluable all round experience before embarking on their own chosen career. They simply won’t go away!

When not travelling the world sourcing materials, fittings and finishes I can usually be found at the side of a rugby, hockey or football pitch clutching my beloved camera, furnishing my son and his team mates with images of their hard won matches!

I hope you’ll enjoy shopping on my new website and would appreciate your feedback. – good or bad.

Frequently asked questions...

Is your son in the business?- Well no and yes. He is still at school but is known to help in the warehouse in times of need. His need not mine; this is usually when funding for additional sports kit is required.

Where do you get your ideas?- Innovation and inspiration come from a variety of sources. I am an avid purse watcher, studiously studying which size shoppers are using and I am now certain 90% of ladies use
a purse that are too small for them! Customers and friends make suggestions and often these ideas become fully-fledged items.

How do you introduce new colours?- You wouldn’t want a Black apple would you! Sometimes a product dictates the colour and material used. However we generally monitor trends via the famous Mipel fair held in Milan twice a year.