Name: Chris Buckley
From: Poole
Living in: Beijing

"Let's give it another week and see how it goes".

Dr Chris Buckley, originally from Poole, left Oxford University with a PhD in Chemistry.  When an opportunity to work in China arose in 1994, he seized it. Having succumbed to the charms of China, he first visited Tibet in 1996, becoming increasingly interested in the manufacture of traditional Tibetan floor coverings, crafts and furniture. His growing interest plus an unexpected business opportunity led to his decision to put his chemistry background to a more unusual purpose. The business opportunity too good to ignore led to the establishment of Torana Carpets in 2000.

Visiting the factory in Tibet to learn more about the traditional methods of dyeing wool for carpet manufacture, he felt it appropriate to abandon the harsh chemical dyes then in use and revert to colours and methods that were kinder to the eye and the environment. This has become something of a mission for him, such that in 2006 he co-founded the Tanva Tibet weaving company thus becoming engaged with every stage of manufacture, including design.

An important part of Chris Buckley’s work ethic is to provide his workers with a healthy working arena and fair financial return for their skills. Accordingly he has become personally involved with the community in Tibet, encouraging them to revert to time-proven techniques and skills in the production of rugs and carpets, increasingly adding modern designs, while Chris provides the wider commercial outlet of shops in Beijing and Shanghai. While expansion is a goal, this will be a slow process as the skills are complex.

Chris Buckley’s commitment to the region and its people has led to an improvement in local conditions for both nature and people in a small area, while bringing to a wider audience some very fine craftsmanship.