The Worshipful Company of Feltmakers is a modern, thriving livery company, which received its Letters Patent in 1604 and has its origins in the hat-making industry in the City of London. The hat-making and millinery industries in the UK represent the very highest standards of quality, design, high fashion and craftsmanship in the world. These businesses export globally and generate considerable revenues for the UK economy. Additionally, innovations with modern felt applications continue to evolve, used for insulation in automotive and space technologies, and modern buildings for both sound and heat insulation and water filtration – largely in developing countries. Synthetic felt is also being researched and developed at British Universities working with leading Industry expert manufacturers this generates new patents, innovations and commercial growth.

The Company promotes and runs our own industry-leading Feltmaker Award, where we mentor young designers and apprentices through universities and colleges, with entries from across the globe. This provides opportunity and exposure to up-and-coming designers, craftsmen and women to showcase their talents and to receive guidance, help and advice from world-leading manufacturers and designers with real-world knowledge and experience.

The Livery also showcase their work at charitable events in London often at events with the wider Livery movement. The City of London Corporation and Livery Companies are major charity donors and promoters of old and new traditional crafts, industries as well as key modern City services. Livery Companies have close working relationships, and cooperation is often achieved through sport; the Feltmakers, for example, organise and run the Inter-Livery Tennis Competition at Queen’s Club annually.