The Master Cutler,
2020-2021

The Master Cutler,
2020-2021  *

Nicholas D O Williams TD DL

Nick was born and raised in Sheffield, a proud Yorkshireman.  He was educated at Elizabeth College in Guernsey, Channel Islands and Sheffield Polytechnic (Diploma of Management Studies).

Starting his working life with GKN Ltd in Birmingham and Cardiff, he then joined his family engineering business in Sheffield on the shop floor and worked his way up to Works Director, with works in Walsall and Sheffield.

A family fall out in 1993 saw him move to GT Tubes Ltd, a manufacturer of steel structural hollow section, as General Manager.  He became Managing Director on their acquisition by Australian National Industries Pty (ANI) which had sister plants in Brisbane and Chicago and head quartered in Sydney.

In 1998, international company politics, excessive travel and the likelihood and subsequent acquisition by Smorgon Steel, saw him leave to acquire his own engineering business and to form the SMP Group of Companies – a diverse group of small metal finishing and manufacturing companies in Sheffield.

Now semi-retired, he still maintains his interest in steel and manufacturing as a “Little Mester”, manufacturing a select few products, including the ubiquitous stainless steel “Presto Egg Opener” (The only way to cut the top off a raw or boiled egg), first produced by John Watts Ltd, a Sheffield company going back to 1765.

He spent many years in the Territorial Army, commanding 75 Engineer Regiment between 1992/5 and completing his TA career as Deputy Commander 42 (North West) Brigade in the rank of Colonel.

Currently maintaining his links with the Reserve Forces as Chairman of the North West of England and Isle of Man Reserve Forces and Cadet Association.  He is also National President of St John Ambulance

He lives in the Peak District of Derbyshire and is married to Susie, with three grown up children.  His interests are split between the summer when he can be found or rather heard as a commentator at Horse Trials throughout England and winter when, having given up active refereeing, he is a Rugby Union referee advisor and assessor.  He is also a keen supporter of all country sports.

September 2019.

*As a consequence of the current Covid-19 crisis, the Cutlers’ Company has decided the re-elect the 2019-2020 Company for a further year.  This is not the first time such a re-election has happened.  It also happened during the two World Wars.

Link to the Cutlers’ Company for 2020-2021

Link to the 2021 Masters Cutler date list