News
Five new liverymen and four corporate liverymen welcomed
We are delighted to welcome five new liveryman and four new corporate liverymen to The Furniture Makers’ Company.
The members were admitted during a ceremony at our March Court meeting on 5 March at Furniture Makers Hall, London.
The members were personally welcomed by Amanda Waring, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, and then invited to join the Court of Assistants and guests for a black-tie dinner at the hall.
The new corporate liverymen represent corporate members Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman, Hypnos and Sealy.
Bottom L-R: Senior warden Brian Ahern, Master Amanda Waring, junior warden Debbie Johnson.
The new members are:
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.
Stuart Burlton, managing director, Make An Entrance Ltd
Make An Entrance manufactures and retails entrance mats both for the public and logo mats for companies. Stuart has been managing director since 2005, having previously worked in the motor industry.
Carolyn Mitchell, sales and marketing director, Hypnos Contract Beds
As well as working for Hypnos Contract Beds, Carolyn is also the chairwoman at Commercial Interiors UK, previously known as British Contract Furnishing Association.
Malcolm Walker, owner/director, FIRST MW Ltd
Malcolm has been in the furniture industry for over 50 years. Having been the director of product for Furniture Village for many years, he now runs his own consultancy business, working on product design, development, and concept realisation for furniture companies both in the UK and worldwide.
Helen Welch, founder and lead instructor, London School of Furniture Making
Helen set up the London School of Furniture Making in 2013 after working as a self-employed maker/installer. The school runs furniture making craft short course for keen amateurs and those considering entering the industry.
Mark Tuley, chief commercial officer, Sealy UK
Mark joined the mattress industry in 2001 when he joined Silentnight Group, and spent his early career with them managing many key National Accounts for Silentnight Beds including Dreams, Bensons and Furniture Village, among those retailers still with us today, before progressing to the position of national account director for Sealy UK in 2006.He was appointed as sales director of Sealy United Kingdom at the time of the Joint Venture purchase by Tempur Sealy International and Dyer Holdings in 2020. In 2023, Mark was appointed to the new position of chief commercial officer – effective 1 May and became responsible for all sales and marketing, with dotted line responsibility for all other local functions.
Nichola Pass, marketing director, Sealy UK
Nichola joined the Sealy marketing team in May 2021, when she moved into the role of marketing director. In this role, she is responsible for the rejuvenation of the Sealy brand and development of the marketing function.
James Keen, CEO, Hypnos Limited
The fifth generation of the Keen family to head the 120-year-old award-winning British bedmaker, James is passionate about the industry and its people, and is proud of the brand’s 95 year relationship with the Royal Households, its heritage and the authentic skills practised in its workshops.
Matthew Thomas, director of public affairs, Furniture and Home Improvement Ombudsman
Matt joined the Ombudsman in 2018, and as head of engagement worked closely with rail operators and stakeholders during the implementation and delivery of the then-new Rail Ombudsman. Matt has enjoyed a varied role including contract management, key account management and stakeholder engagement. He has recently been appointed director of public affairs, with the aim of engaging widely across all the sectors the Ombudsman works in, and working with members and stakeholders to create opportunities that benefit businesses and their customers.