October Profile: Macie Gray

Being raised by a gamekeeper I knew from a young age I always wanted my life being surrounded by fieldsports. I’ve been on shoots since the age of around five and shooting a few years later... it's always been a passion; I just never really grasped the concept that it could be my job too.

I went on to take the same college course that my dad took to be a game keeper and from there got given some really amazing opportunities. I was then a keeper for around three years working on mixed bird shoots. I loved being in the middle of everything and seeing all the days come together. Following that I came across an Instagram post for a job at one of the most famous gun companies in the world... threemonths later I was on my trial for James Purdey and sons!

I found gun making to be a mixture of everything that interested me in life and I continue to love it now just over 6 years later! While I was at Purdey, I got the chance to work in a few different departments and learn from some of the best master craftsmen in the world. My time at the company ended in July of 2024 and I have now gone on to work in the finishing department for Holland and Holland. Another exciting adventure and I'm continuing to learn from some fantastic people. The future is exciting, I am soon to become a craftswoman in my field as appointed by the worshipful company of gunmakers and after that I would love to help more young people get their foot into the door of the gun trade!