MEET THE TEAM

Ian Parmenter, Founder & Master Blacksmith

Ian Parmenter has been a smith since 1986 when he was trained during service at the Royal School of Military Engineering. As a result of his distinguished work, Ian has been made a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths, which today provides a globally-recognised standard for smiths, and allows him to use the title Master Blacksmith.

In 2017, Ian was awarded the Freedom of the City of London and became a Liveryman following sponsorship from the late Hugh Adams, Past Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.

Fulfilling commissions throughout the UK and following a six-year spell in Australia, Ian took the business from strength to strength. Having set up the highly-regarded Ferrocity School of Blacksmithing in Australia, Ian repeated this success in the UK, driven by a passion for the craft, attention to detail and a focus on quality, creativity and service.

His goals remained the same throughout; to provide innovative design matched by a lifetime’s understanding and feel for the materials, and to provide excellence in teaching the craft to the next generation of smiths. Enter Sam . . .

Sam Whittle, Blacksmith & Forge Owner

At just 19, Sam has already dedicated himself fully to the craft of blacksmithing. His journey began while still completing his A Levels, when he spent a week of work experience at Parmenter Forge under the guidance of master blacksmith Ian Parmenter. That week was enough to spark a passion that quickly became a career.

On leaving school, Sam joined Ian as a full-time apprentice, spending the next two years immersed in the heat of the forge — learning traditional skills, developing precision, and discovering his own creative voice as a blacksmith.

Now, with Ian stepping back from the day-to-day running of the business, Sam has taken up the hammer as the new owner of Parmenter Forge. Working under Ian’s continued guidance, he is committed to carrying forward the Forge’s tradition of craftsmanship and care, while also shaping its future with fresh energy, new courses, and a growing team of guest tutors.

Sam combines youthful enthusiasm with a deep respect for the heritage of blacksmithing. For him, every piece forged is part of a bigger story — honouring the past while looking firmly to the future.