Thirty-seven-year-old Thomas Rowland Wedgwood is a descendant of Josiah Wedgwood, who founded British pottery firm Wedgwood in the 18th century. He was raised in Zimbabwe and England, studied oceanography in the US and owns a film company specialising in underwater work. A sense of obligation and personal interest drove him to join the family business. The Wedgwood brand ambassador and his family now live in Tokyo.
Is there any pressure in maintaining the reputation of your family's long-running business?
Naturally, there's an obligation for me to help. But I wouldn't be talking about Wedgwood with you if I absolutely hated it. I'm proud of its longevity. Look at what has happened in the world in the past 250 years and you'll find a lot has changed. Yet Wedgwood remains what it is. Things like our jasperware are still intact.
Your jasperware doesn't seem to have inspired copycats.
Why is that?
It's hard to copy. I can't tell you the secret, but the form of jasper is complex. Any copy will be remarkably detectable.