Shaping the Future of Design | A Conversation with our Founder

As International Women’s Day approaches, we celebrate the women who shape our world - through creativity, leadership, and craftsmanship. 

At ANTA, strong women have always been at the heart of what we do, from the skilled artisans who craft our textiles to the customers who make them part of their homes. We sat down with our founder, Annie, to reflect on the ANTA journey, the lessons learned, and the importance of supporting women in business.

What’s one piece of advice you would give to women who want to start their own business?

Once you have made up your mind as to what you want to do, stick to your core principles and don’t let anyone dissuade you otherwise.

Have there been any defining moments in your journey as a designer and business founder that shaped ANTA’s direction?

Lachie my husband and I wanted to leave London and return home to the Highlands to bring up our family. Together we agreed to restore Ballone castle which was in itself a challenge, but one that was greatly beneficial to us as a family and for him as a conservation architect.

This meant a change in direction for me from working as a designer and contracting out the manufacturing of the ANTA product range to undertaking the manufacture of our collections ourselves. ANTA then became the design led manufacturing business in rural north highlands 35 years ago and remains so today. 

How do you balance staying true to ANTA’s heritage while evolving for the modern market?

We have always insisted upon using locally sourced natural materials manufactured in Scotland. In terms of our core principle nothing has changed. In a way we were ahead of the curve as providence matters more now than it did 40 years ago. The route to market has changed in our favour, many of what we sell is sold on line and we can service a global market from a remote location thanks to the internet.

You take great pride in hiring women - why is that so important to you, and how has it shaped ANTA?

I know that it is harder for women to progress in business especially if combined with bringing up a family. The effort and skills required as a mother are transferable. I reckon if you can negotiate with a teenager you can negotiate with anyone! It happens that we have more women than men but we also have a number of talented men in the company who make a great contribution. The key is to be family friendly and flexible enough for staff to balance their work with their home life. Since the pandemic if they wanted it, we offered our staff the opportunity to work four days a week which I believe improves productivity.

Have you had any strong female role models or mentors who influenced your approach to leadership?

Firstly my mother, who taught me the practical skills and indeed everything I know that has been useful in my life. She was a hard task master and expected much of both my brother and me. Secondly my mother in law who was a non judgmental and a great supporter.

What’s one thing you wish more people knew about the textiles industry?

I would like people to understand the whole process from design, manufacturing and supply chain. Starting with the hill farmers, whose wool we now buy directly, to the dyers and spinners, the weavers and finishers in the borders, and the carpet rug and bag makers here in the ANTA workshops. It happens elsewhere in the world but in Scotland, it’s an important part of our heritage. 

If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

I might suggest that I should be less hard on on myself. I am my greatest critic which can be demotivating.

Finally, what makes you most proud when you look at ANTA today? 

I am just as thrilled when a new textile design comes in from the finishers or when the kiln opens to reveal a new pattern, as when we started all those years ago. The quality is improved and the skills so impressive having started something there is much to be thankful for.