Julie Deane OBE – The Cambridge Satchel Company

Julie Deane is the founder of The Cambridge Satchel Company, a British accessories brand known for its classic leather satchels. She launched the business from her kitchen table in 2008 with just £600, aiming to fund her children’s education.

The brand quickly grew into a global success with a £10 million turnover, clever digital marketing, a strong focus on quality and high-profile collaboration. As copycat products and counterfeit websites emerged, Julie turned to the British Library for expert guidance on trade mark protection and intellectual property strategy and was able to protect her growing brand both in the UK and internationally.

A former Entrepreneur in Residence at the British Library, Julie remains a passionate advocate for intellectual property awareness and credits the Business & IP Centre as a vital partner in helping her protect her brand, overcome setbacks and stay true to the values that launched the business.