All in a day’s work: Trophy maker Kiki Gregson *H&H Plus*

Inkerman’s Kiki Gregson on Covid-19, the buzz of British heritage and Willie Mullins’ trailer of trophies

Inkerman was started as a corporate gift company in 1996. We had a brilliant first decade, doubling turnover year on year, then came the financial crash of 2008. The Covid-19 situation has been reminiscent of that because again, overnight, orders stopped.

In 2008, we thought it was the end of the world, but corporate entertainment budgets came back via sponsorship, of events such as the Epsom Derby and the Grand National. That was amazing for us; we went to our old clients and said, “If you’re sponsoring an event, you’ll need trophies, medals and sponsors’ gifts.” They said “yes please”. So we started making trophies, as well as launching our personal present business.

In the early days we got in the car and visited British workshops including pewterers, silversmiths, goldsmiths, leathersmiths and glass-makers; we still work with many of them.

Eleanor Jones

H&H news editor

Eleanor is an experienced journalist who spent over eight years working for local and national newspapers before joining H&H as news editor in March 2016. Passionate about equine welfare and exposing the truth, Eleanor has reported on all aspects of the industry, from Brexit to anti-bullying campaigns, and from dressage rules to mules. Her sport of choice is showjumping, in which she competes her own horses, and she also enjoys reporting at local jumping shows through to international championships.