Eight young professionals complete industry experience

Eight young professionals – all earmarked as future leaders – have just completed a unique three-week tour of businesses operating in the UK furniture and furnishing industry, facilitated by The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry.

Relaunched in 2024 after a five-year hiatus, the Young Professionals Industry Experience (YPIE) is one of the charity’s educational initiatives that gives a small group of handpicked professionals a comprehensive overview of businesses representing all sectors of the wider industry.

This year’s participants were:

• Ellie Amodio, senior marketing executive, Sleepeezee
• Claire Anderson, assistant production manager, George Smith Ltd
• Jess Blake, social media manager, Saxon Furniture
• Lydia Burrows, head of brand experience, HSL Chairs
• Gabriella Charlton-Little, account manager, Colebrook Bosson Saunders
• Jordan Hargadon, new product development team leader, Silentnight
• Tab van der Lande, furniture designer maker at Sebastian Cox Ltd
• Thomas O’Neill, senior design and projects engineer, Race Furniture

The group spent three weeks across June and July travelling around the UK visiting 20 companies to learn about the furniture supply chain, including raw materials and components, manufacturing, pricing, marketing, merchandising and intellectual property.

The companies the group visited were:

• Anti Copying in Design
• Axminster Tools
• Blum UK
• Colebrook Bosson Saunders
• Designer Contracts
• Ercol
• Ergochair
• Frogmore Conservation Workshop, part of the Royal Household
• G Plan
• Halstock Cabinet Makers
• John Makepeace OBE
• MillerKnoll
• Ocee & Four
• Panaz
• SATRA
• Silentnight
• Simon Thomas Pirie Furniture
• Shackletons
• Sylva Foundation
• Vita, Prima Foam
• William Hands

Six of the group presented their individual experiences to representatives of the host companies as well as other industry dignitaries at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London on Thursday 25 July, which was followed by a lunch sponsored by Blum UK.

Brian Ahern, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “The culmination of this unique three-week intensive programme around the UK was a fascinating day. It was wonderful to hear what each person got out from the experience and equally very inspiring. The experience would not have happened without the commitment of our corporate members and supporters, so thank you to all of them.”

Claire Anderson, assistant production manager, George Smith Ltd, said: “YPIE has been a once in a career opportunity for me to gain open and honest access to some of the best businesses in the furniture industry. I have been inspired by the thought-provoking masterclasses at every visit, and I am looking forward to implementing this new learning in my role at George Smith. Through the experience I have connected with industry leaders and among my fellow participants, made seven new industry friends. Thank you, Furniture Makers’ Company, for a truly impactful experience!”

Ellie Amodio, senior marketing executive, Sleepeezee, said: “YIPE was a fantastic opportunity to visit a variety of businesses from across the furniture industry which I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to see otherwise. I was able to boost my knowledge in commercial areas, as well as learning completely new things about manufacturing and its complexities. Everyone on the programme brought different perspectives and questions so we were able to bounce off each other and make the most of the opportunity we had.”

Gabriella Charlton-Little, account manager, Colebrook Bosson Saunders, said: “I feel very fortunate to have been chosen for this course. I learnt so much which will travel with me throughout my career in furniture. For anyone new to the industry or who want to know more and meet people across different areas, I would 100% recommend.”

Lydia Burrows, head of brand experience, HSL Chairs, said: “This has been a truly unique opportunity, offering rare insight into a wide range of furniture designers and makers across the UK. It has demonstrated that the industry is thriving and has also highlighted the sheer scale of knowledge and skill upon which it is founded. I can’t wait to put all the things I have learned into action in the coming years.”

Jess Blake, social media manager, Saxon Furniture, said: “I firmly believe that a solid foundation of industry knowledge is fundamental to excelling in my role, crafting and delivering impactful marketing messages, and nurturing that profound trust and confidence our customers seek through our compelling narrative.

“The Young Professionals Industry Experience couldn’t have given me a better start to my professional journey. Observing how other companies navigate marketing, sales, and customer service has offered valuable insights to assess and optimise my own approach.”

Jordan Hargadon, new product development team leader, Silentnight, said: “The Young Professionals Industry Experience was everything and more what was expected. The detail which all the hosts shared with us and the in-depth knowledge they all had was inspirational and very beneficial for the full team’s development. I can only thank the hosts enough for their time to show us inside there amazing businesses.”

Tab van der Lande, furniture designer maker at Sebastian Cox Ltd, said: “I thoroughly enjoyed the Young Professionals Industry Experience, and I would definitely recommend it to all young people who want to experience the industry as a whole in a short space of time.”

Thomas O’Neill, senior design and projects engineer, Race Furniture, said: “The Young Professionals Industry Experience has been an invaluable programme, providing insights that I will use throughout my career. The access to various companies has provided me with a wealth of knowledge, allowing me to understand industry in greater detail. This exposure has equipped me with the tools to enhance my own work, implement this to drive greater efficiency and innovation in my role. The insights gained will be instrumental in optimising my contributions and achieving professional growth.’’