Set of 8 Gordon Russell chairs designed by W. H. ‘Curly’ Russell.

Sir Gordon Russell, CBE, MC, RDI, FSIA was a designer, craftsman, educator and champion of accessible, well crafted design. Schooled in the Arts and Crafts tradition of the Cotswolds he believed that good design has a lasting impact on people’s lives.

Together with his father, Gordon Russell founded Russell of Broadway in 1922, resuming his pre-war design work and designing over 1000 products during the 1920s. During the 1930s, a team of designers were employed. Russell & Sons manufactured the cabinets for Murphy radios during this period.

Russell played a major public role throughout the war. He was appointed by the Government to lead the design panel set up to manufacture utility furniture, receiving a CBE In recognition of his contribution. In 1944, Russell was invited to join Board of Trade discussions to set up a national body to promote higher standards of industrial design, and in 1955 he received a knighthood in recognition of his services to Design and Industry.

Following WW2, ‘Curly’ Russell led the design team. Ray Leigh was appointed as design director in 1967, and Trevor Chinn became Chief `in house designer` with Martin Hall leading the design team.