Looking for fresh talent? Why the New Furniture Makers Exhibition is a must-attend event

Finding the right people is one of the biggest challenges facing the furniture and furnishing industry. For employers looking to bring fresh ideas, new skills and enthusiasm into their businesses, the New Furniture Makers Exhibition offers an opportunity that’s hard to find anywhere else.

Taking place on Wednesday 4 November 2026, the exhibition, organised by The Furniture Makers’ Company and sponsored by Staples & Co, will bring together some of the UK’s most promising emerging designers, makers and craftspeople.

With more than 70 designs on display across Furniture Makers’ Hall and the Dutch Church in the City of London, the exhibition is much more than a showcase of beautiful furniture. It’s a chance to meet the people who could help shape the future of your business.

Meet the talent, not just the CV

Recruitment can be a time-consuming and expensive process. Job advertisements and interviews have their place, but they don’t always give employers the full picture of what someone can do.

At the New Furniture Makers Exhibition, the work speaks for itself.

Visitors can see finished pieces up close, explore the thinking behind them and, most importantly, speak directly to the people responsible for bringing them to life.

Whether you’re looking for a designer with an eye for detail, a skilled maker who understands materials and construction, or someone who approaches problems differently, the exhibition offers a valuable opportunity to spot potential.

A simple conversation about a chair’s construction or the choice of material might reveal more about someone’s abilities, attitude and ambition than a formal interview ever could.

Fresh thinking for a changing industry

The furniture industry is evolving. Businesses are responding to shifting consumer expectations, new technologies, sustainability challenges and increasing pressure to innovate.

Bringing new talent into the workplace is one way of keeping pace.

The students, graduates and apprentices exhibiting this November are approaching furniture design and making with fresh perspectives. Many are exploring new materials, experimenting with production techniques and questioning established ways of doing things.

Some of the best ideas emerge when the experience of established professionals meets the curiosity and enthusiasm of people just starting out.

For employers, the exhibition is an opportunity to see how the next generation is thinking and consider what those perspectives could bring to their own businesses.

From exhibition stand to shop floor

If there’s one story that demonstrates what can happen when emerging talent meets the right people, it’s that of furniture maker Michiel Vrenegoor.

In 2024, Michiel exhibited two pieces at the exhibition after graduating from the Chippendale International School of Furniture. One of them, the Fisher Desk, received a Highly Commended award and caught the attention of two representatives from furniture retailer Heal’s.

What started as a conversation at the exhibition soon developed into something much bigger.

Recognising the commercial potential of Michiel’s design, the Heal’s team approached him about putting the desk into production. Discussions followed, drawings and specifications were exchanged, and Michiel eventually signed an agreement to receive royalties on every desk sold.

The Fisher Desk subsequently went into production and became available through Heal’s, both online and in-store.

For Michiel, who now runs his own bespoke furniture business, Fidra Furniture, and tutors at the Chippendale International School of Furniture, it was an opportunity he hadn’t expected.

His experience shows how a chance meeting at the exhibition can open doors. For employers, retailers and manufacturers, it’s a reminder that the next exciting design collaboration, commercially successful product or valuable addition to your team could be waiting to be discovered.

Build relationships before you’re recruiting

Not every conversation needs to lead to an immediate job offer.

Perhaps you’re not recruiting at the moment but expect to expand your team next year. Maybe you’re considering taking on an apprentice, offering work experience or developing a graduate programme.

The exhibition is an ideal place to start those conversations.

Meeting talented individuals early in their careers gives employers the chance to build relationships that could lead to placements, collaborations or permanent positions further down the line.

It’s also an opportunity to connect with colleges, universities and training providers, strengthening the links between education and industry that are essential to developing the future workforce.

And for the exhibitors themselves, a few words of encouragement, some constructive feedback or an offer to stay in touch can make a real difference as they prepare to enter the industry.

Discover the people who could make a difference

It’s easy to become caught up in the day-to-day demands of running a business. Recruitment often becomes a priority only when a vacancy needs filling, while opportunities to meet emerging talent can slip down the list.

The New Furniture Makers Exhibition offers a reason to make that time.

You might discover a future employee, meet a designer whose ideas inspire a new direction or simply leave with a better understanding of the skills and ambitions of the next generation.

Whatever the outcome, you’ll be supporting an event that helps ensure the furniture and furnishing industry has a strong pipeline of skilled, creative and motivated people ready to take it forward.

If you’re an employer who believes that good people are the foundation of a successful business, the New Furniture Makers Exhibition deserves a place in your diary.

The New Furniture Makers Exhibition 2026, sponsored by Staples & Co, takes place on Wednesday 4 November at Furniture Makers’ Hall and the Dutch Church, London.