Exploring our northern heritage
At Little Greene, we are proud to be an independent family business, founded and established in the north of England. Our Head Office is in Manchester, situated at the heart of an area with a globally esteemed manufacturing pedigree, from which we draw inspiration.
Learn about our rich history and discover the various ways we continue to support our local communities today.
Our History & Heritage
‘The Little Greene Paint Company’ was founded by Managing Director, David Mottershead, in 1996. But the manufacturing heritage of our paints can be traced back much further…
Records from 1773 show a small company operating on the bank of the rivers Irk and Irwell, called ‘The Little Greene Dye Works of Collyhurst Wood’. As well as inspiring our name, this tiny 18th-century hamlet and its place in Manchester’s manufacturing industry remain central to our brand ethos. The design on all our paint tins features ancient maps of the area, where several mills and hamlets like this once stood.
Our current headquarters is now located a little further down the road from the original site. It stands proudly at the heart of an area renowned for its manufacturing pedigree, just a short distance from the centre of Manchester.
In 2018, we invited Manchester-based graffiti artist, Russell Meehan @mural_life, to paint a mural in our Head Office. It provides a striking backdrop for our warehouse, where every tin of Little Greene paint is carefully tinted and packaged to order. The mural depicts Little Greene paints being carried to their destination by Manchester worker bees, and features a handful of iconic Manchester landmarks.
Read more about our heritage, or learn how we make our paints in our North Wales factory.
Our Collaborations
At Little Greene, we seek out collaborations that will inspire, champion and support our local communities – in the north of England and beyond.
Next in Design
Launched by Homes & Gardens in partnership with Little Greene, Next in Design aims to create an inclusive design industry for people of all backgrounds. Our Creative Director, Ruth, sits on a board of seven leading industry figures who uphold the principles of the initiative. In May 2025, the board selected a showcase of 25 up-and-coming designers, with each winner receiving a special prize from Little Greene.
One of the main motivations for Little Greene’s involvement was to create opportunities for designers based across the UK, including in the north. Ruth writes: “As a northern brand, it’s wonderful to be able to open doors to people from all over the country, especially in places which have a rich heritage in design, manufacturing and creativity.”
Read more our collaboration with Next in Design, or discover the NiD25 winners.
Museums & Galleries
We are proud to supply paint for some of the best-loved local galleries and museums. These include The Whitworth Art Gallery, IWM North and York Art Gallery, which are based close to our Head Office in Manchester. We became the official paint sponsor of Manchester Museum when it was reopened in February 2023. Shades from our palette create a warm welcome in the museum’s family, community and education spaces, as well as exciting new exhibitions.
Caroline Dowsett
Our unique partnership with local artist and maker, Caroline Dowsett, has produced some truly inspiring installations. Using Little Greene paints, Caroline has created vibrant park benches in Covent Garden and lively murals across Manchester, including one in our Head Office. She also designed the artwork for our Re:mix tins. Her contemporary style provides the perfect accompaniment to this collection of honest, upcycled paints.
Supporting Local Causes
Our charity work is of huge importance as we give back to our local communities in meaningful ways. Each October, we participate in Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and often partner with smaller, local charities where our donations have a lasting impact.
Alongside this annual campaign, we are proud to raise funds to charitable causes, particularly for children and young people in our community. Over the next five years, we will be supporting students at the University of Manchester. Our donations will provide financial support during their studies and contribute to engagement projects in local Manchester schools.
Visit our collaborations page to explore our various partnerships and collaborations, with museums, galleries, charities and more.
