Ringo Starr and Robin Cruikshank Furnitures ( RINGO & ROBIN)

Ringo Starr & Robin Cruickshank

original 'Ringo Or Robin' mirror featuring a car windscreen design. This particular design of mirror can be seen in an image that was taken of the Ringo Or Robin display at the Apple building on St James' Street in 1972. Ringo Or Robin Ltd. was a furniture and homewares company set up by Ringo Starr with designer Robin

In 1968 Robin Cruikshank’ssmall design company began working for Apple. At that time its management included Neil Aspinal, Peter Browne, Derek Taylor and Ron Kass and of course the four members of the Beatles.

In 1969 Ringo moved house to Hampstead and Robin was called in to help him realise some of the designs that Ringo and Maureen required for their new home. First on the list was thestainless steel fireplace. Robin had just started prototyping a new steel and glass furniture collection, and Ringo was able to add his own design ideas and improvements to Robin’s initial concepts. Their mutual interest in HiFi also helped further inspire the process with some interesting off the wall results.

In 1982 ROR heard that it had won the competition for this $10+ million dollarcontract and it was to go to Abu Dhabi to agree the contract conditions. Robin returned to London to find that the Merchant Bank that had originally agreed to undertake these requirements had now changed their minds and were not prepared to meet the performance bonds and guarantees required. ROR were informed that they had a week to come back to Abu Dhabi to sign the contract and meet the required terms and conditions or it would go out to competition once more.

ROR had been fortunate over the years in having Sir Edward Heath, the British Prime Minster, as one of its clients Ted had kindly given a letter of recommendation to the Abu Dhabi authorities in connection with this project, so Robin decided to seek his good advice once again. Robin explained the dilemma and he very quickly said you need a UK Arab bank, he then picked up the phone made a call and said you have an appointment with Sabih Shukri, CEO of the Allied Arab Bank in Cannon Street at 11.00 am tomorrow morning. Robin duly attended the meeting with Sabih Shukri and within 48 hours and with the help of one of his good financial colleagues, Walid Al Omar, the requirements were met so Robin was able to fly out to Abu Dhabi to sign the contract with only just a few hours to spare!

ROR went onto complete the project on time and meet all it conditions. As a result of its much admired work ROR was given a further large project which kept the company working in Abu Dhabi until 1986. During that time, some other worthwhile contracts were also undertaken in the UK, including property development.

• 1969 Ringo or Robin Ltd formed. Offices located in the Apple building in Savile Row.
• 1972 Relocated with Apple to 54 St James Street
• 1974 Showroom opened on the Thames river at Francis Wharf near the Tate Gallery.
• 1976/77 Moved to a new showroom in Rathbone Place in London’s West End.
• 1981 Moved to Ex Warner Brothers offices in Cork Street W1
• 1984/6 Moved to larger offices in Conduit Street W1

Neil Margerison, the Managing Director of a leading London head hunting company, introduced ROR to an Engineering Executive of a leading UK construction company, Peter Wilson. In 1979. Peter was working in the Middle East and his clients in Abu Dhabi required an English design company to compete for an interior design and furnishing competition for the newly built ‘Head of State Guest Palace’ for Sheikh Zayed.

It was in 1986 that Ringo and Robin decided to cease activities as both owners wished to go their separate ways and this was considered to be a good time to finish on the best possible high note!

Ringo very kindly allowed Robin to use a similar name of ROR International Ltd, so he could continue with projects in the UK, the Middle East and also in Belize.

It should also be mentioned thatBarbara Bach, Ringo’s very beautiful, charming and very astute wife was very supportive of ROR and helped to keep the good relationship together up to the present day with a little help from the Internet and many e-mails.

The ROR Minimalist/Art Deco inspired collection has now come back into fashion and approaches have been made by a UK/American Art Auction house to the former owners to see if they would be prepared to allow such an exhibition to take place with a possible auction to follow. We have to wait and see!