Brushmakers celebrate their 75th anniversary alongside becoming an employee-owned trust

A heritage brushmaking company which has recently become an employee-owned trust is celebrating its 75th anniversary and its commitment to the preservation of the craft.

A S Handover, which started post war in London in 1949, is now run by its employees from premises in Welwyn Garden City. The team of 10 are made up of experienced craftspeople and dedicated workers who want to keep their craft relevant for the modern world.

Charlotte Wormley-Healing is the company’s manager and sits on the board of trustees for this fascinating and niche company.

“We’re so proud of the services and products we offer – from hand-made brushes used in the signwriting profession amongst others, to products including gold leaf, paints and much more,” said Charlotte.

“Brushmaking is an endangered heritage craft, and we are all passionate to promote brushmaking as an important asset to British history. We are so lucky to be able to share our passion on a daily basis with our customers and we are now confident our brand is secure for the future.”

A S Handover began in 1949 when Alan Handover began selling brushes after employing his first brushmaker. The need at that time was acute. Indeed, brush makers were listed as essential workers during the war, vital to the economy. Alan Handover started selling decorators’ brushes from a small hayloft in Highgate Village, North London

With widespread rebuilding in bomb damaged London, there was plenty of demand but over the next few years. Mr Handover identified a wider demand, from professional users, for high-quality artists’ brushes in a range of applications which included graphic artists, poster writers, signwriters, animation studios and advertising companies.

The business continued for decades with these skilled makers, and it was in the 1980s that the Handovers mentioned to their neighbours that they wanted to retire. At that time the neighbour's son, Michael Venus was a salesman travelling all over the world, but he was attracted to the opportunity, and he bought the business.

Michael has run the business since, and 20 years ago Handover merged with another long-standing brushmaking company, Masons. When Michael wanted to step away more recently, he gave his team a choice around the future.

Rachel Rudd, director and brushmaker, said: “We decided an employee-owned trust worked so well for us and we’re so grateful to him for supporting us in that decision. We found our own warehouse and we made a very amicable break with our former ‘partners’ to set up a new modern company with an intention to keep and embrace our heritage.”

Today A S Handover is run by a board of trustees after working with employee-owned trust expert Chris Maslin, of Go EO, who also sits on the board.

He said: “It’s been a privilege to work with the team over the past year or so to help them transition to a new and bright future for such a fascinating and historic business. There is nothing this team does not know about brushmaking and the world of the signwriter. It’s no wonder they are known across the UK for their professionalism and passion for their art.”

Today, A S Handover creates and sells hand-made brushes for disciplines from fine art to make-up as well as paints and gold and metal leaf. The team works for organisations including the National Trust, Rolls Royce, Angel Interiors and Henry van der Vijve. The company even holds a Royal Warrant as their products are sold to members of the Royal household.

• Image of the team at A S Handover, celebrating their 75th anniversary and becoming an employee-owned trust. From left to right: Michael Venus (previous owner and director), Rachel Rudd (brush maker and director), Craig Morton (head brush maker and director) and Charlotte Wormley-Healing (trustee and manager)