Richard Smith wrote a doctoral thesis on trumpet acoustics before joining Boosey and Hawkes, where he worked for 12 years as chief designer and technical manager responsible for the world famous Besson brass range. He designed several Besson Sovereign instruments, including the original trumpets used by Derek Watkins and John Wallace, trombones for Roy Williams and Don Lusher, and the cornets used by most brass and military bands.

His research work into acoustics, testing and development of brass instruments has been widely published in the scientific literature and on TV and radio, and he has travelled in Europe, the United States and Japan, testing instruments with top professional symphonic and session players.

He now applies his broad experience to the design of bespoke brass instruments for individual players, and is a competent musician who regularly plays contra-bassoon in London.

Derek Watkins has an international reputation as one of the best all-round trumpet players. He has played for Johnny Dankworth, Maynard Ferguson, Benny Goodman, Ted Heath and Frank Sinatra and the James Last Orchestra.

He regularly plays for TV shows and has also given concerts and made recordings with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Recent recordings include a solo album 'Increased Demand' and sound tracks for the Batman and James Bond movies.

He has worked with Richard Smith on instrument development since 1974, and has helped to test every aspect of the new Smith-Watkins designs.