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Leathersellers’ Review 2024–2025
Membership
Master and Wardens
David Barrow Second Warden
Charles Curtis Third Warden
Edward Dove Fourth Warden
David is the son of Bob Barrow, who served on the Court and follows a long line of Barrow Leathersellers stretching back a number of generations to David’s great-grandfather Sir Samuel Barrow (Master 1931–1932). David was born in 1960 and educated at Uppingham School before obtaining an engineering degree at Oxford Polytechnic. From there he joined GEC as a graduate production engineer undertaking their two-year graduate training course. Bob Barrow left Barrow, Hepburn and Gale, a leather tanning business, in 1969 before founding Haddonstone in 1972. David joined the family business in 1984 and has been there ever since. On the way he found time to do an MBA at Nottingham University. Haddonstone has over a hundred employees with factories in Northamptonshire and Colorado in the USA. He recently stepped down as Managing Director to become Chairman as he approaches semi-retirement. He is Chair of The Leathercraft Trust (formerly the Museum of Leathercraft) which has been guided from a precarious position to the safety of Northampton Museum and Art Gallery. Looking forwards, this work will not be complete until the collection achieves proper recognition and a gallery of its own. He is married to Vanessa, and they recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary. They have three children: Robert and William, both Freemen of the Leathersellers’ Company who work in the City in insurance, and Tilly, a chef who travels the world mixing her two loves of skiing and cooking. David and Vanessa are both season ticket holders of Northampton Saints whom they patiently follow with the usual ups and downs of true supporters. David is a member of Northamptonshire County Golf Club and a regular tennis player, and he enjoys the odd skiing trip and family holidays.
Charles was admitted to the Livery in 1995 and served as Steward in the year 2015–2016. He is the son of Past Master John Curtis. Charles was educated at Radley College and Durham University, where he studied modern languages. Thereafter he joined Lincoln’s Inn and qualified as a barrister, being called to the Bar in 1992. He has chambers in the Inner Temple in London, where he specialises in all aspects of personal injury law, including group action claims. He is described by the Legal 500 as “a very commanding presence in Court” (hopefully not just because he is six foot four). Charles has been a mentor to a number of young people, both in and outside of work, which he continues to enjoy. He lives near Overton in Hampshire with his wife, Clodagh. They have three children, Sophie, an art curator in Amsterdam, Charlotte, a management consultant specialising in the world of sport, and Rupert, a recent Engineering graduate who is shortly to start work for an aerospace company. He is a keen skier (but not a very successful ski racer) and enjoys playing tennis, photography and gardening.
Edward is the son of Past Master Geoffrey Dove and third cousin to Master Leatherseller Martin Dove. He became a Liveryman in 1995 and served as Steward in 2014. He is currently a governor at Colfe’s School and has represented the Company at cricket, golf and bridge. Edward was educated at Oundle School, Newcastle University and the Institute of Education. His career as a primary school teacher started in 1990 and was punctuated by three years as an educational psychologist. He has been the Head Teacher at Marvels Lane Primary School, in Lewisham, since 2006. Edward lives in Beckenham with his wife, Rebecca, to whom he has been married for nearly 20 years. They have 3 children: two step-children, Gabriella and Sebastian, who live locally, and a daughter, Polly, about to start Sixth Form at Wellington College. In his spare time Edward is CEO of an organisation, Green Frog Holidays, which provides residential summer holidays for children with disabilities. He also turns his hand to a wide range of games and sports in between spending time with his family, doing a bit of gardening and playing far too much golf.
Martin Dove Master 2025–2026
Martin’s family’s connections with the Leathersellers date back to 1839. His great-grandfather, F L Dove, and his grandfather, the Revd F J Dove, both served as Master, one hundred years ago and seventy years ago respectively. For two hundred years Dove Brothers built and restored churches and other fine buildings in London, including for the Leathersellers and other Livery companies. Admitted to the Livery in 1984, Martin served as Fourth Warden in 2005, joined the Court in 2009 and has chaired the Finance Committee and worked on the Charity Committee. He is a Member of the Leathersellers’ Federation of Schools. State school educated at Helsby in Cheshire, Martin read Geography and Theology at King’s College London. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in the City and works in the public sector. He now leads teams assuring delivery of major projects across the UK. Career highlights include creating the Ngapani Coffee Estate in Malawi, managing a venture capital company start-up in Thailand, and leading assurance reviews of the Elizabeth Tower. Martin is married to Sharon, a social worker, teaching assistant and almshouse trustee. They have three children, Rachael, Elly and Will, all Leathersellers, and two grandchildren, Juno and Torin.
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