West Dean has awarded three Honorary Fellowships for 2026, recognising individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the fields that are central to West Dean’s purpose. This year’s Fellows, Rebecca Struthers, Edward Bulmer and Professor Peter J Gregory, are distinguished in their fields and each represent West Dean’s commitment to shaping the future of creative education through making, sustainability and specialist expertise. 

Rebecca Struthers is an award‑winning jeweller, silversmith and watchmaker, and in 2017 became the first watchmaker in British history to earn a PhD in horology. Her research into the development of the European watch industry in the 18th and 19th centuries informs every Struthers timepiece produced today. Alongside leading research, design, development and finishing at Struthers Watchmakers, she is a keen historian, presenter and published author. Her debut book Hands of Time received critical acclaim, becoming a BBC Radio 4 Book of the Week and an Indie Bookshop bestseller. Her children’s book About Time teaches curriculum science and history through watchmaking and was shortlisted for a School Library Association Information Book Award. 

Struthers says ‘Watchmaking can be a very solitary career, making recognition of your work by the outside world an incredible honour. It’s a privilege to do a job I love, even more so when it’s a job that also allows me to inspire others to take up an interest in the world of horology. I’m excited to be able to continue this in collaboration with West Dean and help foster the next generation of brilliant horological talent.’ 

Edward Bulmer is a leading interior designer and architectural historian who has spent the last 35 years working in some of Britain’s finest buildings, from Althorp, Princess Diana’s childhood home, to Goodwood and his own Queen Anne House in Herefordshire. His conservation‑led approach to interiors has shaped his belief that the future of design lies in the return to natural materials. Bulmer has been leading a natural paint revolution, creating pioneering plant‑based paints made entirely from plant-based ingredients. His sustainable, health‑conscious products are now used by designers and clients worldwide. Bulmer’s first book, published by Rizzoli, The Colourful Past: Edward Bulmer and the English Country House, takes readers through the keyhole into his most memorable work. 

Bulmer says ‘Having spent my career allying the design of interiors with the conservation and restoration of their contents it is a real privilege to be appointed a Fellow of West Dean College. Hand on training in both areas is key and WDC represents the gold standard.’ 

Professor Peter J Gregory is a former Professor of Global Food Security at the University of Reading where he was also previously Pro-Vice-Chancellor for research and innovation. He has held senior leadership roles at the Scottish Crop Research Institute and East Malling Research. Trained as a soil scientist, Gregory has spent most of his career researching the interactions between plant roots and soil in agricultural and horticultural crops. Gregory now chairs the Board of the Recommended List for UK crop varieties and sits on the Science Council of the Food Standards Agency and the Science Committee of the Royal Horticultural Society, where his main interest is the twin tasks of producing food while conserving nature. 

Gregory says ‘I am delighted to become a Fellow at West Dean, and look forward to working with staff to enhance the already outstanding reputation of its gardens through the development of complementary horticultural activities, training and education.’ 

From online courses to postgraduate degrees, West Dean has an international reputation for excellence and is a full partner of the University of Sussex. With campuses in Sussex and London, students benefit from fully equipped workshops, expert tutors, and lecturers as well as access to visiting artists, makers, conservators and writers as part of the Artists-in-Residence programme.