Bridge of Weir, Scotland, November 14th 2023 – Bridge of Weir, supplier of Fine Automotive Leather to the world’s most respected luxury car brands, proudly announces its partnership with Car Design News and the Royal College of Art to introduce the first-ever Peter Horbury Fellowship Award.
The distinguished accolade, named in honour of the late Peter Horbury, a luminary in car design, will be presented alongside a £5000 bursary to the next generation of design talent at the CDN People Awards in 2024.
Peter Horbury, who sadly passed away in June 2023, had an illustrious 50-year career, recognised as one of the greatest car designers of his generation. To continue Peter’s legacy by inspiring the next generation of designers, Car Design News, in partnership with Bridge of Weir Leather and the Royal College of Art, where Peter himself was a student, the Peter Horbury Fellowship Award has been established to support young design talent.
It is open to first and second-year full-time bachelor degree students from the RCA transportation design course, with the winner selected by course head Dale Harrow and the RCA faculty.
James Muirhead, sales director at Bridge of Weir Leather, said: “It is with great honour and pride to support the Peter Horbury Fellowship Award, working in partnership with Car Design News and the Royal College of Art to recognise Peter’s profound contributions to the automotive industry and inspiring the future of designers. Peter was not only a visionary and an inspirational designer for some of the world’s most renowned automotive brands, but he was also a cherished friend of Bridge of Weir.”
Muirhead continues: “Over the past three decades, our collaboration with Peter in crafting the interiors of iconic models for Volvo, Aston Martin, Ford, and Geely Group has been a testament to his unparalleled expertise and passion. This award is a beacon of inspiration, passing on Peter’s remarkable legacy to the next generation of designers, ensuring his visionary spirit lives on.”
The prestigious Peter Horbury Fellowship Award will be presented at the CDN People Awards ceremony, a celebration that shines a spotlight on the industry’s brightest talents and acknowledges the collaborative efforts of design teams behind groundbreaking cars. The event is scheduled to take place at the Londoner in London’s Leicester Square on December 7th.
