State of Heritage 2026
We track 44 manufacturers representing the last guard of British craftsmanship. Our index monitors their ownership status, workforce demographics, and digital health.
Firms Tracked
44
Risk Status
High
8 firms in critical danger
Total Jobs
16k+
Collective Age
6,000y
Ownership Landscape
Family ownership remains the dominant model (60%), creating a stewardship advantage over PE-backed rivals.
The Digital Gap
Average Instagram following comparison. Heritage firms have 200 years of story but 3% of the audience.
The Skills Cliff
45% of the master craftsman workforce will reach retirement age within 5 years. Without immediate apprenticeship scaling (currently only 20% of workforce), centuries of tacit knowledge will vanish.
Warning: Critical Action Required: Training pipeline must double by 2027 to replace retiring masters.