Annual Confederation Lunch

Our annual Confederation Lunch, held on 9th March at the Houses of Parliament, brought together Corporate Members, trade organisations, MPs and peers to discuss key issues and develop further our strong links in support of the furnishing industry.  The European debate was a hot topic with MPs extolling their own preferred views

Welcoming guests and thanking Stephen McPartland, Liveryman, MP for Stevenage, and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Furnishing Industry Group, our Clerk and Chief Executive Jonny Westbrooke outlined some of the key areas of activity in the year focussing on welfare support, education activities, and the thriving Guild Marks.

“I believe it is our Corporate Membership that is really driving industry awareness,” he said. “Promoting and participating in all our activities helps the Furniture Makers’ Company to connect with the wider industry.”

He went on to thank Corporate Members present,  Axminster Tools, B&Q Homefit, Furniture Village, Bisley, Parker Knoll, DFS, Designer Contracts, CDUK and KI for their tremendous support over the last twelve months, and welcomed Hunters Contracts, The Furniture Ombudsman and The Institute of Kitchen Bedroom and Bathroom Installers as new Corporate Members.

During the lunch a presentation was made to the Chairman of the British Furniture Confederation, Paul von der Heyde, to mark the end of his five year tenure at the helm.