How it began
For over forty years, Robert Haywood has been a driving force in the creative industries across the UK, Europe, and northern India. His remarkable career spans vibrant rock and pop festivals to intimate rural workshops, giving him a unique perspective on how creative expression and traditional craftsmanship shape culture, identity, and economic prosperity.
Robert’s path has always been collaborative, working closely with artisans, musicians, producers, designers, entrepreneurs, and entire communities. Through these partnerships, he has developed a deep appreciation for the skills, resilience, and innovation at the heart of human creativity.
At the core of SoukUk’s mission is a commitment to preserving the richness of traditional skills while empowering creators to embrace new technologies and adapt to a rapidly changing world. For Robert and his team, heritage and innovation are not opposites but partners, essential for progress in the creative industries. Over the years, Robert has worked with a diverse array of creatives—including potters, weavers, woodworkers, fashion houses, tailors, musicians, storytellers, printmakers, and authors—helping them refine their products and reach new markets without losing their unique voice.
SoukUk offers more than just sales and marketing support. Its team provides practical advice and sustainable business guidance, helping individuals and enterprises honour the authenticity of their craft while building viable futures. Robert’s hands-on experience as a consultant, sales agent, importer, retailer, and event organiser has always focused on championing creative talent, curating exhibitions, and organising events that bring local makers to international attention.
Beyond commercial success, SoukUk is dedicated to fostering connections between traditional and modern methods, and to building networks of support among creative communities, industry leaders, and conscious consumers. Through online streaming, workshops, musical events, and knowledge exchanges, SoukUk helps creative individuals and businesses adapt to new technologies and evolving consumer demands.
The innovative team behind SoukUk enables direct connections between creators and their audiences, reducing reliance on costly intermediaries and ensuring more value returns to the makers and performers themselves.
Today, Robert’s decades of advocacy, innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration have culminated in Thesouk.uk—a not-for-profit online platform dedicated to the creative industries. By bridging the gap between genuine artisans and conscious consumers, SoukUk champions ethical practices, transparency, and the discovery of authentic craftsmanship in a crowded digital landscape.
Robert Haywood’s journey stands as both an inspiration and a practical blueprint for the creative sector. His work demonstrates the enduring power of traditional skills, the necessity of adaptation, and the transformative force of creative communities. Through Thesouk.uk and his lifelong dedication, Robert continues to empower the next generation of artists and makers, ensuring that the legacy of craftsmanship and creative expression not only survives, but thrives.