News
David Dewing installed as the Company’s new Master
David Dewing has been installed as Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company during a service at St Mary-le-Bow Church, Cheapside, followed by a formal reception and dinner at the Mansion House.
David joined The Furniture Makers’ Company in 1996, became a Liveryman in 1997 and was elected to the Court in 2010. He has served as Chairman of the Guild Marks and Strategy Committees. A qualified furniture designer and historian, he has spent most of his career in museums. Since 1991 he has been Director the Geffrye Museum of the Home in East London.
Educated at Radley College near Oxford, David took a degree in Three-Dimensional Design at Ravensbourne College of Art, in Bromley. Graduating in 1973, he worked in the furniture design office at Kent County Council for six years before deciding on a career change into museums. He joined the Museum of London and took a Museums Diploma with Leicester University, then a Master’s Degree in London Studies at Birkbeck College.
In 1991 he was appointed Director of the Geffrye Museum, best known for its period rooms set in 18th century almshouses. David has led the museum through a major capital development, with an extension completed in 1998, and a series of gallery improvement works. The new title, Museum of the Home, is a theme which has universal appeal. The Geffrye has done much to promote design and the creative industries in East London. Further capital development works are currently being planned to provide more galleries space, better conditions for the collections and improve access.
David was married to Alison in 2014; between them they have six children and four grandchildren. When not in London they live in Winchester and share interests in ancient buildings, old furniture, contemporary crafts, and travel.