Nine freemen welcomed at Common Hall

We were thrilled to welcome nine new freemen to the Company at our Common Hall event (annual general meeting).

The admission ceremony took place on Wednesday 12 April 2023 at Furniture Makers’ Hall.

The nine freemen declared their support to the Company, before signing the declaration and being personally welcomed by Tony Attard OBE DL, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company.

Our new freemen are:

Richard Boyce, St Albans High School for Girls

Richard is a design and technology teacher to key stage 3, 4 and 5 students, teaching and encouraging them how to design and manufacture high quality products.  He also develops external links between schools and design companies.

Terry Brazier, Retired Antique Furniture Restorer

After working for a furniture restoration company and a Bond Street antique dealer, Terry established his own restoration company in 1982, retiring in 2018.  He is also now a livery company Beadle.

David Fielding, Vitafoam

David is a business manager at Vitafoam, which manufactures converted polyurethane foam products for upholstery and bedding.

Katryn Furmston, PhD Student at Nottingham Trent University

Formerly a senior lecturer in product design at Nottingham Trent University, Katryn is now studying for a PhD on sustainable furniture with a focus on fast furniture. She is also a designer at Sarah Turner in Nottingham.

John Gulian, John Gulian Design

John is an artist designer who makes furniture to commission, focussing on responsible manufacture and local material fit for purpose.  He has also started an art and craft tooling supply company using offcuts from his furniture work.

Gareth Mayhew, TCM Living Ltd

Gareth is director of ESG and compliance for TCM Living, which comprises manufacturers of sofas, armchairs and sofa beds such as Ashley Manor, Alstons, AMX Design and Alexander & James.

Chris Nice, CRN Ltd

Chris is managing director of a commercial property maintenance company, maintaining commercial buildings, installing kitchens and bespoke furniture.

Michael Priest, Michael Priest Designs

After 48 years of being an interior designer, with 25 years of having a London showroom, Michael now works as a consultant out of Chelsea Harbour. He has always concentrated on important period, graded and listed houses and has recently been awarded by The Georgian Group ‘The Best Restoral and Interior Designed Period House 2022’. 

Gregg Wooding, Spencewood Interiors Ltd

Gregg is managing director and owner of Spencewood Interiors which designs and builds furniture for the hotel and leisure sectors, as well as commercial and domestic upholstery and making fine furniture.

Commenting on the new freemen, the Master said: “We’re delighted to welcome so many new freemen, all from very different areas of the wider furnishing industry. We’re very proud to represent such a diverse, creative and vibrant industry and our new admissions emphasise the mix of people involved in our fantastic sector.”

Following the admission ceremony, the Master reported on the achievements the Company had made in the past livery year and spoke on the many events he was privileged to attend and represent the Furniture Makers. After the Master’s presentation, treasurer Alistair Gough gave members an update on the finances from 2022-23, who was followed by Jonny Westbrooke, clerk and CEO, who outlined the plans for the 2023-24 livery year on  behalf of Master-Elect Amanda Waring.

After the meeting, members and guests enjoyed a complementary wine tasting which was hosted by Katya Sapozhnikova of Davy’s Wine Merchants.