At Arthur Sleep, our story is written by the dedicated individuals who bring their passion, expertise, and craftsmanship to our work every day. From our visionary founders to our master craftspeople, each member of our team plays a vital role in preserving and evolving the art of British shoemaking.
Our Founders
Jahangir (Jay) Azam
With a background in banking and a family heritage in luxury fashion and textiles, Jay brings a unique blend of business acumen and deep industry understanding to Arthur Sleep. His vision for reviving British craftsmanship, combined with his commitment to sustainable manufacturing, has been instrumental in shaping our company's direction. Jay's experience in the luxury sector and passion for traditional techniques drives our commitment to excellence.
Christopher Boadle - Co-Founder
Chris's journey to Arthur Sleep began in educational technology, where he honed his skills in innovation and system development. His decision to transition from the tech world to traditional craftsmanship came from a desire to create something more tangible and meaningful. Chris's technological expertise, combined with his appreciation for heritage craftsmanship, has been crucial in developing our innovative approach to bespoke shoemaking.
Our Craftspeople
Our workshop is home to four skilled cordwainers, each bringing decades of experience to their craft. Our craftspeople preserve their irreplaceable knowledge and skills for future generations. Their expertise spans traditional techniques that have been refined over centuries
Our master craftspeople don't just make shoes—they are guardians of a heritage, passing down their knowledge to the next generation through our apprenticeship programme.
Iszhan
Joining Arthur Sleep in 2022, Iszhan brings decades of expertise in leather craftsmanship to our workshop. His speciality lies in hand-lasting and working with premium, sturdy leathers that require exceptional skill to shape.
A true artisan, he excels at experimental projects and prototypes, bringing new designs to life with remarkable precision. His craftsmanship represents the pinnacle of shoemaking excellence, with each pair showcasing extraordinary attention to detail.
Hanane
Since joining Arthur Sleep in 2023, Hanane has become an invaluable member of our team. Her background in both clothing and footwear manufacturing brings a unique perspective to our craft.
She is a master of precision stitching and brings an artist's eye to her work, often contributing beautiful technical drawings for our prototypes. Her dedication to perfecting new techniques and expertise across all areas make her an outstanding craftswoman.
Lacri
A master craftswoman with extensive experience in footwear manufacturing, Lacri joined Arthur Sleep in 2019. Her exceptional speed and efficiency make her one of our most productive artisans.
Known for her innovative problem-solving and pragmatic approach, she excels at managing complex orders and adapting to new designs. Her methodical attention to detail and systematic approach to order management ensures consistent quality across our collections.
Benjamin
Benjamin serves as Head of Operations at Arthur Sleep, where he has been instrumental in managing and overseeing the company's operational functions since 2020. In his role, he leads the operational team and ensures the smooth running of day-to-day activities. Benjamin's tenure has seen him successfully coordinate team operations whilst maintaining efficient workflows across the organisation. His leadership has been vital in steering the operational aspects of Arthur Sleep's business for the past four years.
