Dr Christine Anscombe

Christine joined the leather industry over 40 years ago and has spent the last 15 years at SATRA in her current role as assistant director. Her working life in the leather industry has allowed her to undertake a variety of roles in manufacturing, product testing, funding procurement, training and management.

She originally studied at the University of Northampton to become a qualified leather technologist, leading to her first position as works director of a UK garment leather tannery, Carr Tanning, followed by moving to Australia to manufacture kangaroo leather for footwear and accessories at Packer Tanning.

On returning to the UK she spent 11 years at BLC as their innovation and training manager before taking the plunge to co-found Leather Wise, a leather problem solving and training consultancy.

In addition to the ‘day job’ Christine has been the external verifier for leather for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and is currently chair of the British Standards Institute Committee for Leather and Footwear. Other industry related positions include being a Past President of the Society of Leather Technologists and Chemists – representing SLTC on the Executive Committee of the International Union of Leather Technologists and Chemists (IULTCS), where she has just been appointed as Chair of the Training and Education Commission (IUT).

In 2016 she was privileged to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Northampton. She is also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Curriers and has recently been one of the initiators of the Supporters of Leather Education and Science (SOLES) group which is trying to support global leather education and complements the work of IUT.