Election of 2025-2026 officers

At our latest Court meeting, held on Monday 3 March, the following officers were elected to serve for the forthcoming year and will be admitted to office at the Installation Ceremony on Monday 12 May 2025.

Master-Elect, Debbie Johnson

Debbie Johnson’s early career included nursing, working in retail and then as a telegraphist at the Post Office, where she gained experience in business administration. She later thrived in print publishing, especially with Cambridge Newspapers Group, before running an independent contract publishing company. Her career included publishing weekly furniture trade magazine Cabinet Maker magazine until 2018. Post-retirement, Debbie has worked with the City Livery Club and became a trustee for the Andrew Johnson Rowing Foundation. In her spare time, she obtained an Association of Master Upholsters & Soft Furnishers diploma with distinctions in Soft Furnishings, and stage one diploma with distinction in Upholstery.  She continues to find time to indulge her love of restoring old chairs and working with textiles.

Debbie said: “It is a great honour to be elected as your next Master.  My passion for both this livery and our industry fuels my commitment to serve you well.  I am grateful for your trust and look forward to representing The Furniture Makers’ Company and strengthening our community together.”

Senior warden, Jessica Alexander

Jessica Alexander was educated at Berkhamsted School for Girls and Dr Challoner’s High School. She obtained a BA Hons in English Literature at Westfield College, University of London and started her career on the weekly furniture trade magazine Cabinet Maker. Later Jessica went on to found her own PR & Communications business, working for many familiar names in the industry.  For over 35 years Jessica has been involved with the trade association for UK bed manufacturers, the National Bed Federation, running its PR and communications and subsequently at the helm until she took semi-retirement in 2023. Jessica has been a liveryman of The Furniture Makers’ Company for over 20 years. Jessica has lived in North Yorkshire for ‘half her life’ and in her spare time loves hiking, runs a book club, enjoys pub quizzes and the theatre. She is also an accredited Humanist wedding celebrant.

Jessica said: “Stepping up to senior warden at The Furniture Makers’ Company and supporting the Master as ‘second in command’ is an honour and a responsibility which I will do my utmost to fulfil to the best of my ability.”

Junior warden, Alistair Gough

Alistair brings over 30 years of experience across the paper and furniture industries. An accomplished entrepreneur, he has a proven track record of growing businesses successfully with agility and vision. Known for his friendly and supportive leadership style, he inspires teams to achieve excellence. Outside of work, he enjoys country life, rugby, Formula One, and golf. A proud father of two daughters and two grandchildren, he balances business success with family values.

Alistair said: “I am privileged to have been appointed to the position of junior warden and will do my upmost to support the Company in all its efforts to further the success of the furniture industry.”