Remembering Richard Purdey

From our September/October 2025 Issue

When one shoulders a Purdey shotgun or enters Audley House, the gunmaker’s headquarters in the Mayfair section of London, indisputable quality and centuries-old tradition converge. No one personified the inimitable company as much as Richard Purdey. Sadly, the sixth-generation member of the founding family passed away on April 12 at the age of 83. He is survived by his wife, Margaretha, daughters Annika and Kristina, and four grandchildren.

Richard, a direct descendant of the company’s founder, James Purdey, will be the last family chairman of James Purdey & Sons. He served as chairman from 1994 to 2007 and guided the company through its integration with the luxury-goods group Richemont.

According to daughter Annika, who now serves as a non-executive director on James Purdey & Sons’ board: “He was a decisive man to whom the details always mattered and who was always extremely amusing company. One always felt better and more enthused about life whilst in his orbit; and if you ever heard someone roaring with laughter in the Long Room, you always knew Richard was nearby! He was always interested and appreciative of other people and their efforts and achievements. He treasured everything about Purdey, and he had the highest respect for its depth of heritage and illustrious history.”

In addition to his chairmanship at Purdey, Richard will be remembered for his deep commitment to conservation and for helping preserve the art of fine gunmaking. He was instrumental to the success of the Purdey Awards for Game & Conservation, a program that helps preserve the beauty of the British countryside and recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. From 2008-’09, Richard served as Master of the Worshipful Company of Gunmakers and helped establish financial aid, known in the UK as bursaries, for apprentices to help support their future as gunmakers.

He will be missed.