Glaze of glory as ceramicist receives honorary accolade from RGU

A born and bred Londoner, Keith made his first piece of pottery when he was just 11 years old, describing it as a ‘sense of escapism’. It was at this point that he knew he wanted to pursue it as a career. After a brief stint as the lead singer of a punk band, Keith became an apprentice at Harefield Pottery in London and has been combining traditional ceramic techniques with modern designs ever since.

His belief that ‘less is more’ is evident in his distinctive style, which has caught the attention of esteemed retailers, creating handmade designs for the likes of Conran, Barneys New York, Habitat, Monsoon, Laura Ashley and Heal’s.

Keith has lived with dyslexia since childhood, though it wasn't formally diagnosed until he reached adulthood. This experience led him to develop a natural affinity for working with clay, shape and form. Keith’s ‘Word Range’ was born from a fascination with the physical shapes of words, a unique perspective shaped by his dyslexia.

Professor Steve Olivier, Principal and Vice-Chancellor, said: “Keith has not only revitalised the art of ceramics, an art form many considered to be in decline in the UK, but has also exemplified the transformative power of empathy, encouragement and constructive feedback within his role as a judge. Through his visible passion and deeply human approach, he has inspired a new generation to discover the joy and creativity of working with clay.

“Keith embodies the core values of Robert Gordon University. He stands as a passionate ambassador for ceramics, a degree subject offered at only a handful of institutions across the UK, including RGU. Moreover, his approach to mentoring and feedback is one from which every educator can learn, as it empowers individuals to realise their full potential in a supportive and authentic environment.”

Notably, RGU graduate, AJ Simpson, won The Great Pottery Throw Down in 2022, receiving high praise from Keith throughout their journey. This isn’t the university’s only connection to the show; the winner of the first series, Matthew Wilcock, has been a lecturer at Gray’s School of Art since 2017.

More recently, Keith published his autobiography titled ‘Boy in a China Shop: Life, Clay and Everything Else’, offering a heartfelt account of his life and remarkable journey to success. As Head of Design at MAKE International, he continues to handcraft pieces for his own collection and collaborates with both British and international designers. He also stars alongside his partner, Marj Hogarth, in the Channel 4 series Our Welsh Chapel Dream.

He was recognised with a Doctor of Arts (DArt) award at P&J Live, Aberdeen, on Friday 04 July 2025.