CANTERBURY BEARS PRESS KIT 2021

Profiles
John & Maude Blackburn met in fifties New Zealand, he a young modern British artist
beginning his painting career, she an entrepreneurial young woman who had established
the first modelling agency in NZ.
Returning to England with their three children Victoria, Kerstin and Mark in the 1970s, John
Blackburn’s reputation as an internationally renowned artist continued to grow, with
exhibitions worldwide; but his inexhaustible artistic energies combined with Maude’s own
creative flair and business acumen led to a joint venture in 1979 when he and Maude
launched ‘Canterbury Bears’ in the small village of Littlebourne in the Kentish countryside.
The family business has thrived for more than 40 years, with daughter Kerstin working
alongside Maude.
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Kerstin Blackburn lived in Finland for a year before spending a number of years travelling
the world before returning to London to work for the Imperial Cancer Research Fund at
UCL.
She joined Canterbury Bears on a full-time basis in the early eighties after spending many
years supporting the family business in her spare time. Kerstin travelled the globe with
Canterbury Bears taking the brand to New York, Tokyo, Sydney and beyond.
As Managing Director her involvement is undoubtedly hands-on, a creative role that has
become a passion and a vocation.
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