Philip Taylor — Bespoke Orthopaedic Shoemaker

No Nails Hand Lasting

Philip started making shoes in 1965, aged just eleven. Working under some great shoemakers, and some not so great, he was able to look at shoemaking techniques that might make life a little easier, and more profitable.

He took a variety of hand-lasting methods and tried to combine them into a simple lasting technique that he still uses and teaches today.

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​Robert Covaciu — Bespoke Shoemaker

Shoe Adaptations

Robert works with one of the city of London's long-established firms. He is currently enrolled on Bill Bird's apprenticeship scheme. He says:

"Shoemaking found me more than ten years ago. I started out in Hungary as an apprentice, doing the gritty, hands-on jobs in a handmade shoe workshop. From there, I moved into making equestrian boots, which taught me a lot about precision and fit.

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Bill Bird — Bespoke Orthopaedic Shoemaker

Designing and Drawing the Perfect Shoe

Bill is a Bespoke Orthopaedic Shoemaker and Last Maker. He is a Freeman of the City of London and has been a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Pattenmakers since 2010.  

Bill lectured 2nd year students in Footwear Design at De Montfort University, Leicester for eleven years, and also created The Pattenmakers Certificate in Bespoke Orthopaedic Footwear, a two year long, 60 module course which has been running every two years since 2020. The course includes educational material, graphics and photographs, plus video commentaries, all of which can be adapted to other footwear educational programmes such as in Capel Manor in North London.

His shoemaking business, Bill Bird Shoes was established in the Cotswolds In 1987 and still thrives today. 

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Dean Westmoreland — Bespoke Shoemaker and Repairer

Restoration of Vintage Leather Shoes

Dean is an expert shoemaker, shoe restorer and repairer, trading under the name of Yorkshire Sole, based in Leeds. More recently, he had become a regular member of the team of specialist repairers on the popular BBC television show, The Repair Shop, where he has transformed items of footwear much to the delight of the owners.

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​​​​​Martin Kistner — Bespoke Orthopaedic Shoemaker

The “Zwiegenähter Schuh”—Norwegian Welt Construction—Tradition and Technique

Martin Kistner was born in 1965, into a family of shoemakers spanning four generations. His father transitioned into orthopaedic shoemaking, and he began my apprenticeship in 1981, completing it in 1984.

During his journeyman years, Martin worked primarily in Germany, with shorter placements in the USA and England. In 1990, he earned my Master Craftsman title in orthopaedic shoemaking and later became a certified podiatrist.

In 1993, Martin and his wife founded their own practice in Bayreuth, Upper Franconia, where he continues to work. Over the years, He has developed some innovations in orthopaedic shoemaking, always with a focus on biomechanical precision and practical application.

Martin is a member of Praepereatio, an organization that promotes vocational training in orthopaedic shoemaking in Germany and abroad. He is especially committed passing traditional craftsmanship to younger generations and keeping these techniques alive as part of a living heritage.

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​Adam Law — Bespoke Lastmaker

The Art of the Twisted Last

Adam Law is a London-based bespoke shoemaker with over twenty years of experience rooted in the tradition of Mayfair craftsmanship. Trained under master artisans at George Cleverley, he combines rigorous classical technique with a deeply personal approach. In 2024 he founded Adam Law Shoemaker to offer fully handcrafted shoes, each pair a collaboration with clients, reflecting their style, personality, and fit. Prior to that he refined his skills working at Rolls-Royce, on leather interiors and later as a last-maker and managing director at Cleverley, learning discipline, precision and detail. He values longevity, comfort and elegant design over fleeting trends, believing a well-made shoe should grow with its wearer. His work is characterised by refined shape, deliberate material selection and a visible love for craft.

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Nigel Mann — Sewing Machine Engineer

Looking After Your Sewing Machine

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​Tony Knaggs — Northampton Chamber of Commerce

Starting and Running a Small Business

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Yvette Worrall — Stitchdown Shoemaker

The Stitchdown Construction Method

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As well as the above speakers, we have two short 'Profile' presentations from:​​​

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​Freya Allen

Finding My Footing: A Designer’s Path from University to Industry

Freya Allen is a Footwear & Accessories Designer at William Lamb Group, where she creates licensed Children’s Footwear and Accessories for retailers including Next and George. Since graduating from De Montfort University in 2019 with a First Class Honours in Footwear Design, she has explored a broad range of the industry — from orthopaedic shoemaking to commercial women’s footwear — before finding her passion in Children’s design. Her talk will share the journey from university to industry, highlighting the challenges, creativity and lessons learned along the way, with the aim of inspiring the next generation to pursue creative careers in Footwear.

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Brian Harvey

70 Years in the Industry 

After joining Pirelli's footwear division as a management trainee in 1955, Brian spent 17years working across all the areas of the company including production, engineering and product developing before being appointed factory manager. He represented the company on SATRA Council, and in 1979 was appointed Associate Member BBSI and a member of the national council.

Brian then joined a smaller company making exercise and dance footwear, and consultancy work with M&S where he advised leading on factory layout operator training.

In the last 20 years he developed a range of wide fitting footwear and medical to cater for people with diabetes and Lymphoedema.