Books

Ray Leigh MBE Ray Leigh graduated from the Architectural Association and, as a young architect, joined the practice of Professor Richard (Dick) Russell and Robert Goodden. In 1951, he contributed to the Lion and Unicorn Pavilion at the Festival of Britain, and y continued his partnership with Dick on significant projects such as the interior design of the SS Oriana and the Greek Galleries at the British Museum. In 1967, Ray met Dick’s brother, Gordon Russell and accepted the position of Design Director at Gordon Russell Limited. Following Gordon Russell’s death in 1980, Ray became Chairman of the company. Nine years later, amid a global recession, he oversaw the sale of Gordon Russell Limited. When the firm’s workshops finally closed in 2000, he led efforts to establish a museum in one of the original workshops behind The Lygon Arms in Broadway, culminating in the Gordon Russell Design Museum’s opening. Ray detailed much of his work and the Gordon Russell story in two self-authored books: Advance the Product. Gordon Russell Furniture – A continuing adventure 1946–1986 (2015) and A Change of Direction. Gordon Russell Furniture 1930–1940 (2017).