The 2026 Outstanding Contribution Award went to Nick Holland at Tableware International’s Awards of Excellence, held recently during Ambiente.
He graduated from the Royal College of Art, London with an Industrial Design Masters and after a successful career in England with ceramic companies, he later with his own design consultancy.
Nick also spent some time working with the legends that are Queensberry Hunt Levien in London for three years. Of his time there he says: “It was a privilege to be part of this group and a great learning experience, rubbing shoulders with world class ceramic designers, David Queensberry, Martin Hunt and Robin Levien.”
He then moved to the famous Portuguese porcelain manufacturer Vista Alegre, who offered him the post of Design Director.
“I expected to stay just a few years. I ended up staying 13 years and making Portugal my home! It was a great privilege to have this position in this historic company with a fabulous factory, with the full gamut of ceramic production from limited edition hand sculpted and painted pieces to automated mass production, and everything in between.”
After departing Vista Alegre, for whom he still designs, our Outstanding Contribution winner went on to work for his own design consultancy company designing for a host of international brands from Vista Alegre to Eternum, Mesa Ceramics, Ariane, Elia International, Amefa, Villeroy & Boch, Crate & Barrel and many more.
Read more about Nick and his career in the next issue of Tableware International.
