David Leach, 1911-2005, was a major figure in the world of ceramics. Born in Tokyo, he was first taught to pot not by his father Bernard but by Shoji Hamada. On return to the UK he studied at North Staffs Technical College, and in 1930 joined the Leach Pottery where he stayed, on and off, for twenty-five years. He helped the family business in artistic, practical, technical and managerial capacities.
In 1953 he headed the ceramics department of Loughborough College. David started the Aylesford Pottery in 1954, handing it over a year later to Colin Pearson.
After the handover of Aylesford Pottery he moved to Bovey Tracey in Devon and set up Lowerdown Pottery.
He was chairman of the Craft Potters’ Association of Great Britain in 1967, and awarded the O.B.E in 1987 for his development of studio pottery and his services to education. David’s work is exhibited widely in the UK, Europe and America and held in numerous public and private collections worldwide. David died in February, 2005