The British Society of Perfumers was founded over 50 years ago, by perfumers, to help gain recognition and status in the perfume industry for perfumery as a profession. We currently have over 200 members, with four tiers of membership.
The inaugural meeting was held on April 9th 1963 at the Bonnington Hotel with 36 founder members (some sent apologies). Eight people had met in London in late 1962 and decided to form a Society, which made the above its first meeting. Robert Favre was in the chair.
The Society supports the education and development of perfumers by bringing them together as individuals to exchange views and items of professional interest in an informal atmosphere. The Society runs a full lecture program each year and Safety Symposium and Workshop Weekend in alternate years.
Originally the members were all perfumers but as the importance of the Society grew, the role of Associate member was introduced. Later, the Society grew to include Friends of the Society and student members.
There have been 48 Presidents of the Society and six have had the honour to serve two terms in office. They are Mr Favre, Mr Simco, Mr Witty, Ms Wells, Mr Bailey and Mrs Williams.
Today we have Full, Associate and Retired members. We also have Friends of the Society, a newly introduced membership for people who are interested in perfumery but who are not eligible for membership. Honorary membership is awarded to individual members in recognition of their services to the BSP and/or the perfume industry.
Most of our meetings, lectures, conferences, workshops and excursions are open to members and non-members, so you may not need to be a member to join in. For membership details please read our FAQ section and if you would like to apply, contact us.
We ask all members to keep the General Secretary informed of any changes of home address, email address, or company – this is most important as otherwise we will not be able to send you details of meetings; newsletters, etc!
Full Members are those who have spent at least five years working as a perfumer, practising the art and science of perfumery.
| President: | Virginie Daniau |
| Vice-President: | David Whitaker |
| General Secretary: | Roger Duprey |
| Hon. Treasurer: | Matthew Williams |
| Website Editor: | Helen Hill |
Past Presidents:
| 1963 | Mr. R. Favre |
| 1964 | Mr. R. Favre |
| 1965 | Mr. J. Pickthall |
| 1966 | Mr. E. L. Simco |
| 1967 | Mr. C. M. Holding |
| 1968 | Mr. J. McIver |
| 1969 | Mr. W. C. Botfield |
| 1970 | Mr. H. V. Ward |
| 1971 | Mr. W. R. Titchener |
| 1972 | Mr. B. H. Kingston |
| 1973 | Mr. H. T. Murray |
| 1974 | Mr. L. S. Smith |
| 1975 | Miss A. B. McConkey |
| 1976 | Mr. D. Cartwright |
| 1977 | Mr. A. T. J. Wuertz-Field |
| 1978 | Mr. G. Davis |
| 1979 | Mr. D. G. Witty |
| 1980 | Mr. K. B. Shipp |
| 1981 | Mr. B. G. Jaggers |
| 1982 | Mr. D. E. Butterfield |
| 1983 | Mr. B. J. V. F Nicoll |
| 1984 | Mr. E. L. Simco |
| 1985 | Mr. C. F. Clements |
| 1986 | Mr. A. J. Pettifer |
| 1987 | Mrs. J. J. Murray |
| 1988 | Mr. J. S. Crombie |
| 1989 | Mr. A. J. Dallimore |
| 1990 | Miss E. I. Speller |
| 1991 | Mr. D. G. Witty |
| 1992 | Mr. J. T. Brown |
| 1993 | Mr. P. B. T. McGee |
| 1994 | Mrs. B. Bayne |
| 1995 | Mr. M. J. Parrott |
| 1996 | Miss L. Hipgrave |
| 1997 | Mrs. M. Hoyle |
| 1998 | Mr. D. Ruskin |
| 1999 | Mr. R. J. H. Duprey |
| 2000 | Mrs. J. E. Towle |
| 2001 | Mr. J. Ayres |
| 2002 | Mrs. R. Wells |
| 2003 | Mrs. R. Mastenbroek |
| 2004 | Mrs. S. Foyle |
| 2005 | Mr. V. Scully |
| 2006 | Miss C. de Vogel |
| 2007 | Mrs. R. Wells |
| 2008 | Mr. D. Bird |
| 2009 | Mr. M. Williams |
| 2010 | Mrs. H. Hill |
| 2011 | Mr. T. Gage |
| 2012 | Mr J. Bailey |
| 2013 | Mr J. Bailey |
| 2014 | Mr. P. Whipps |
| 2015 | Mrs. K. Williams |
| 2016 | Mrs. K. Williams |