Ten new freemen admitted

We are delighted to welcome 10 new freemen, all representing different professions and sectors from the UK furnishing industry, to The Furniture Makers’ Company.

The admission ceremony took place on Thursday 16 February 2023 at Furniture Makers’ Hall.

The 10 freemen declared their support to the Company, before signing the declaration and being personally welcomed by Tony Attard OBE DL, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company.

After the ceremony, the new freemen were invited to stay for the Winter Mixer networking event, along with other members and non-members of the Company.

Commenting on the new freemen, the Master said: “We’re delighted to welcome so many new freemen, all from very different areas of the wider furnishing industry. We’re very proud to represent such a diverse, creative and vibrant industry and our new admissions further highlight the blend of people and professions involved in this fantastic sector. I look forward to working with all our new freemen.”

The new freemen are:

Stuart Anderson, Kesterport

Stuart has been sales director of Kesterport for more than a decade. The company manufactures and distributes high end loose furniture, supplying major retailers and hotel groups.  He is keen to bring through the next generation into the furniture industry.

Carl Henrik Andersson, Fluent Architectural Design Services

Carl Henrik is currently a junior architect providing design services for planners and individuals for residential and commercial projects.  Carl Henrik’s passion for furniture and design has ultimately led him to explore the impacts that the industry has on the world’s current climate crisis.

Simon Attard, Panaz

Simon is the textile designer at Panaz, which furnishes the healthcare and hospitality sectors with flame retardant fabrics.  He has also worked with the Panaz marketing team initiating the ongoing development of the Panaz brand, including taking ownership of the showroom in Manchester and other various marketing tools such as literature and our new website. 

Tony Catterall and Elaine Hurn, Taylors Legal Services Ltd

Tony and Elaine founded Taylors in 1991, which provides legal services to the manufacturing and service sectors with a particular emphasis on the textile and home furnishing trade. Tony is senior partner and head of intellectual property and is one of the best-known lawyers to the home furnishings industry. Elaine is managing partner and head of commercial.

Dawn Hamlet, Dispute Resolution Ombudsman

Dawn is HR manager at the Ombudsman, which is an independent, not-for-profit government approved organisation set up to help resolve disputes and raise standards.  She joins Billy Quin, Court Assistant, and other colleagues as a member of the Company.

Paul Hammond, Oakenwoods Group Ltd

Having worked in the joinery industry for 25 years, Paul is now director of operations at Oakenwoods. The company is a carpentry, joinery and fitout contractor creating impressive living and working spaces. They design, manufacture and install a variety of fixed and loose furniture items for their projects. 

Edward Hornsby, Tom Maxwell Furniture & Cabinetry Ltd

Edward is co-owner, director and workshop manager of Tom Maxell Furniture & Cabinetry Ltd, which designs, builds and installs bespoke furniture and cabinetry.  Edward is passionate about furniture, woodwork and interior design.

John Legg, Media 66

John is managing director of Media 66 which is the publisher of trade titles Furniture & Joinery Production, The Furniture & Joinery Trade Suppliers Directory and organiser of the Furniture & Joinery Conference.

Daniel Pateman, West Dean College

Daniel is the furniture subject leader at the college, which provides education in the arts, craft, and conservation through full-time and short courses in a diverse range of specialist subjects and heritage crafts.