Member spotlight – Graham Marley

As the City of London livery company for the furnishing industry, our membership is as diverse as the many people, functions and sectors that work within this wonderful trade.

Every month we are going to be finding out more about our members, learning about their jobs and discovering what it is about The Furniture Makers’ Company that resonates with them.

First up is liveryman and furniture conservator Graham Marley, who has been a member for more than 20 years, having joined The Furniture Makers’ Company in 1997.

Tell me about yourself, background and company you work for.

I trained at West Dean College and after working for a couple of restoration companies I joined John Hart who was an adviser to the National Trust as a freelance conservator. Upon his retirement I set up my own business and have been a sole trader working for primarily historic house clients as a furniture conservator ever since.

How did you break into the industry and what is it about the sector that made you stay in it?

I failed my army medical just prior to taking my A levels and my woodwork master, Alan Watson, took me to his cousin Derek Austin, Past Master of the Upholders’ Company, who ran the family firm in Peckham Rye. He told me that if I liked working with wood and antiques then I needed to go to West Dean. Forty years on and I’m still learning and still very passionate about furniture.

When did you first hear about The Furniture Makers’ Company and who encouraged you to join?

I was playing golf with Past Master Martin Jourdan at the time when Hugh Joscelyne was running an initiative to get new young members and knowing I worked as an antique conservator suggested I join.

What area of the company’s output resonates most with you and why? (i.e. welfare, education, excellence)

All three tenets of the Company are vital in supporting the industry, but education to me is the most important.  All areas of the furniture and furnishing trades need skilled workers to maintain the high standards of production, both bespoke and in larger manufacturing.

Can you share a highlight or fond memory of your time involved with the Company?

After serving on several committees and particularly being part of the Custodians, it was a great honour to be elected on to the Court, but undoubtedly the London to Bordeaux cycle ride in 2016, organised by Past Master Ben Burbidge, has to be the highlight. It was totally out of my comfort zone, but to complete the challenge was a wonderful moment even if it did take me six months to get back on my bike.

Have you got any advice to any new members regarding getting the most out of membership?

Apply to join a committee and attend as many functions as you can to make the most of meeting other members.

Finally, tell us something your fellow members may not know about you – a secret talent, an interest outside of the world of furniture. 

This is a difficult one! At school I shot both small-bore .22 and .303. I still do shoot once a  year at the Bisley Shooting Ground in my school’s veterans competition – still with probably more success than I have on the golf course!