David Mellor was one of the best known 20th century British designers and had an international reputation for his cutlery design from the 1950s onwards.

He had always specialised in metalwork and his museum in Hathersage showed the full historic collection of his work and that of his son, Corin Mellor. David Mellor Design operated on the simple principle that well-designed equipment can improve your life.

David Mellor was born in Sheffield in 1930. He studied at Sheffield College of Art, the Royal College of Art and the British School at Rome. David was Royal Designer for Industry in 1962, became an Hon. Doctor RCA in 2000 and was awarded the CBE in 2001.

David Mellor Cutlery was manufactured in a purpose-designed modern factory in the Peak National Park. The Round Building, designed by Sir Michael Hopkins, won numerous architectural awards. The famous David Mellor shop in Sloane Square, London, and the factory at Hathersage in Derbyshire, sold a professional collection of kitchenware and tableware.

David died at the age of 78 in May 2009.