While enjoying a day on a vintage motorboat in the Venetian Lagoon, Stephan Pavlou experienced a classic “lightbulb moment” that led to the creation of the Glass Anchor—a clever product designed to keep glasses upright in challenging conditions, whether on boats, at picnics, or on the beach.

Stephan recalls the moment: “There was Prosecco being passed around and a delicious array of food was spread out, and the boat was motoring along—warning: this is definitely a first-world problem at this point!” As the boat moved, it became clear that holding glasses was a struggle and placing them down without spilling was nearly impossible. “Our host was trying to put juggling balls round the glasses to try to hold them in place and I looked at her and I said: ‘I can do better than that.’”

From that moment, the concept for Glass Anchor was born. Designed to look like a padded leather mat with six slits at regular intervals, it allows stemmed glasses to easily slip in and out, securely holding them in place even on rough surfaces. Stephan explains, “Design should work around people, not the other way round”.

After initial sketches, Stephan collaborated with Intellectual Property lawyer Mark Jolly of Wilson Gunn, who previously helped him secure a patent for MastaPlasta leather repair patches—a product that earned Stephan and his partner Donna Clarke two Queen’s Awards for Enterprise. Rigorous testing confirmed the uniqueness of the Glass Anchor, and Stephan successfully secured patents worldwide.

“The Glass Anchor has been tested at extreme speeds in choppy conditions without a single accident,” Stephan shares. “We’ve tried it on rowing boats, even gondolas, and discovered it’s also perfect for picnics or a day at the beach”. Friends and family now keep their Glass Anchors handy for any outing.

Stephan emphasises the simplicity of the product, “It’s a simple product but not every new gadget needs to be high-tech. This one doesn’t even have screws, glues, or fixings of any kind. You just throw it down on a table, the boat deck, or wherever. That’s what makes it work so well on any kind of boat or uneven surface”.

One of the major benefits of the Glass Anchor is its ability to accommodate traditional glassware, promoting a move away from disposable plastic cups—a feature that appeals to environmentally conscious consumers. “The freedom of Glass Anchor also means hospitality on cruise ships can be more flexible”. Stephan notes, adding that RV markets in the U.S. are also a potential customer base.

The product debuted at the Genoa boat show, where it quickly sold out. Initially priced at 130 euros due to small production runs and bespoke fabrics, the Glass Anchor has since evolved, now featuring a luxury, hard-wearing vegan leather and a more accessible price of £55 (65 euros). It is available online with global sales spanning the U.S., Italy, Finland, and the Mediterranean.

Reflecting on the journey, Stephan says, “It is still early days, but it does feel like the start of MastaPlasta all over again”.

With the fourth full production run underway, Stephan is optimistic about the future, with aspirations of achieving a King’s Award for Enterprise.

Visit glassanchor.co.uk for more information.

Meet the Maker: Stephan Pavlou

From an early age, Stephan Pavlou was immersed in the world of creativity, working in his father’s fashion manufacturing business in Clerkenwell. By age 20, he had launched his own fashion brand and even won a Vogue/Courtelle designer of the year award in the 80s. A career shift to furniture design eventually led to MastaPlasta, a popular solution for repairing furniture, which is now used by various industries, including the armed forces and theatres.