Blue Earth Summit

Emma Bridgewater CBE is the founder of Emma Bridgewater Ltd, a renowned British ceramics company established in 1985. Inspired by a desire to create pottery that reflected the warmth and charm of her mother’s kitchen, Emma pioneered the use of traditional spongeware techniques to produce distinctive, hand-decorated earthenware. Her designs, including the iconic Polka Dot pattern, quickly gained popularity, leading to the establishment of a factory in Stoke-on-Trent, which remains a hub of British pottery manufacturing. Under her leadership, the company has become one of the largest pottery manufacturers based entirely in the UK, employing over 200 people and producing approximately 1.7 million pieces annually .

Beyond her business achievements, Emma is a passionate advocate for British craftsmanship and rural communities. She has served as President of the Campaign to Protect Rural England and is a patron of the Heritage Crafts Association. In recognition of her contributions to British industry, Emma was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in 2013 .