Five new freemen admitted at Common Hall

We were thrilled to admit five freemen to The Furniture Makers’ Company in April.

The admission ceremony took place at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London on Tuesday 12 April, preceding Common Hall, the Company’s annual general meeting.

The new freemen were personally welcomed to the Company by the Master, David Woodward.

Jez Bayes, director, Timberfusion

Timberfusion supplies and installs kitchens with German partner Schuller. There is also a solid surface fabrication at their Watford showroom.  Jez joined a local joinery company direct from school and completed a four-year indentured apprenticeship before becoming shop foreman and then moving to London where he ran larger sites including National Trust properties.  He and his wife set up Timberfusion after working for a high-end Italian company, which has now been going for 15 years.

Stuart Burlton, managing director, Make an Entrance Ltd

Make An Entrance manufactures and retails entrance mats both for the public and logo mats for companies. Stuart has been managing director since 2005, having previously worked in the motor industry.

Katy Johnson, designer

Katy a senior designer at Nick Leith-Smith Architects, interior designer at the Ambassador Theatre Group and director at Sherbrooke Design Studio. She is daughter of court assistant Debbie Johnson.

Juan Junca, director, Studio Manolo Ltd

Juan studied Fine Woodwork Level 3 at the Building Crafts College.  He now runs Studio Manolo, producing bespoke furniture for commercial and residential interiors from his London workshop. 

Dannie Rusling, owner, Rusling Furniture Makers

Dannie started his business making bespoke furniture, including kitchens and libraries as well as free standing pieces, in 2008. He now employs four staff in his workshop in the Scottish Highlands.