AN ‘incredibly talented’ former managing director of a leading Cumbrian business has died.

Cumbria Crystal's previous managing director Katy Holford has died following a cancer diagnosis last year, it has been announced.

During her time at Ulverston-based Cumbria Crystal, Katy used her design skills to develop new collections and re-focussed the company to produce ever higher quality hand-made crystal, said current CEO Chris Blade.

After leaving Cumbria Katy briefly returned to Brighton before moving to France with her adored husband Mark.

In 2021, prior to her diagnosis with cancer, they returned to England and had planned to relocate to Cornwall to study painting.

Chris described Katy as an ‘incredibly talented and creative person’ who will be sorely missed.

He said: "Katy Holford's life paralleled mine in many ways. We studied for our first degrees in glass in North Staffordshire Polytechnic, Stoke on Trent, then one of the leading centres for glass education in Britain. Later we both completed MA's at the Royal College of Art, so knew each other for 41 years.

“Our lives remained connected through our working lives as it was Katy who introduced me to Cumbria Crystal whilst she was MD of the company through a particularly challenging time. It is thanks to her recommendation that I was invited to join the company after she stepped down.

“During her time at Cumbria Crystal, Katy used her design skills to develop new collections and re-focussed the company to produce ever higher quality hand-made crystal and took the decision to supplying into the 'luxury' market.

“Without the shift towards preserving rare heritage skills, with a focus on making the very best crystal possible, using completely traditional techniques it is likely that the company would have been unable to differentiate itself from many of the other glass manufacturers round the world, and consequently could very well have joined the long list of incredible British glass businesses that sadly no longer survive.

“Katy was an incredibly talented and creative person - a designer, artist, visionary and friend.

“Our thoughts and condolences are with her family, husband and all those whose lives she touched. She will be sorely missed, especially as she still had so many dreams and so much life and love to live."