Welcome to our new Freemen

Image shows front row from left to right:  David Dewing, Master Elect and Paul von der Heyde, Master

Back row from left to right: Georgy Mkrtichian, Farida Alrashaid, Jasper Heinrich, Kali Nicholson, Michael Dingwall, Jamie Ward, Farkhanda “Fara” Hussain-Butt and Richard Griffin

We are delighted to welcome eight new Freemen, following their admissions ceremony at Furniture Makers’ Hall recently. 

The Master Paul von der Heyde said: “It is heartening to see so many new faces joining today, from a wide cross section of the furnishing industry.  We look forward to them becoming involved in Company activities and value their exceptional skills and experience.”

The Freemen are:

Farida Alrashaid

Farida currently runs her own bespoke furniture firm, providing a range of furniture, craft and art works with a new showroom soon to open in Rauceby, Lincolnshire. She is a professor at Kuwait University’s department of architecture with extensive experience in product design and has been making furniture for more than 10 years. Farida received her doctorate in Product Design in 2013, having previously taught in Kuwait and Virginia Commonwealth University, USA. Her work has appeared over the past few years in exhibitions in Kuwait, the UK, and the USA.

Michael Dingwall

Michael is the Manufacturing Manager for Silentnight Brands, in charge of all manufacturing operations for the group, and has gone through the ranks having joined the Company in the 90s as a graduate management trainee. He studied Business Management at the University of Lincoln and Humberside, graduating in 1997, and has recently completed a Masters in Manufacturing Leadership at Lancaster University. Michael recently chaired the Furniture Trailblazing Steering Group, ensuring government support for new apprenticeships in the furniture making, bed making and upholstery industries.

Richard Griffin

Richard is responsible for the day to day management of The Furniture Ombudsman, ensuring that standards are maintained in accordance with ombudsman rules, values and quality assurance policies. He is responsible for promotional work and fostering relationships with all of the stakeholders that have an interest in or work with the ombudsman. Richard began his career with a management role in the financial services industry and has subsequently held senior positions at a business consultancy and a market leading waste management company.

Georgy Mkrtichian

Georgy is an award-winning artist carver and cabinet maker based in London, providing a restoration and repair service as well as producing his own bespoke work. He was born in Tbilisi where he attended the Tbilisi Art School, winning an award in craftsmanship. Georgy later worked for several firms in Georgia before moving to London in 1994, and has since worked on bespoke commissions, producing furniture, decorative work, and restorations. Over the past several years he has begun to exhibit his contemporary work in period settings, including the Tower of London. He will also be showing work at the forthcoming Inspired exhibition at The Goldsmiths’ Centre as part of Clerkenwell Design Week.

Kali Nicholson

Kali is a brand and marketing director for UBM, and her role involves overseeing the marketing, content and PR function of its UK based Design & Interiors portfolio for trade events such as Decorex International, Sleep, and the May Design Series. Her role is to ensure that the interiors market is engaged with UBM events, and that UBM output and events evolve with the market. Kali has worked at UBM for over a decade within their interiors and design section, and enjoys the interaction with the business community.

Jasper Heinrich

Jasper is the Operations Manager for Halstock Cabinets, and has worked for the Company since 2006. He has worked his way up from being an apprentice at Compton Smith Cabinet Makers in the late 1980s, moving to Halstock for his first term at the company in 2001 where he went from being a senior cabinet maker into project management. Jasper spent several years at Fordingtons in management before returning to Halstock Cabinet Makers as Head of Production.

Farkhanda “Fara” Hussain-Butt

Farkhanda is the Marketing Director for Shire Beds Ltd, while also teaching part time at Spen Valley High School. She is the chairman of the National Bed Federation Marketing Committee, and has been involved with the NBF for many years. Fara is on the editorial panel of Beds Magazine, and is an ambassador for the Females in Factories initiative run by Works Management that was launched last year to increase the number of women involved in manufacturing as both tradesmen and management.

Jamie Ward

Jamie is in charge of the City & Guilds Furniture Making courses at Warwickshire College, running apprenticeships and bespoke courses. His career began as a wood machinist mass producing windows, doors and stairs and progressed to university at Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College. Jamie’s own small business manufactures bespoke furniture and kitchens, which he manages part time alongside his position Warwickshire College. He also advises Burnley College on its curriculum.