Welcome to our new Liverymen!

Photograph shows from left to right seated: Ben Burbidge Senior Warden, the Master David Dewing, Tony Smart Junior Warden; standing: Jon Coulson, Edward Woodley-Jones, Billy Quinn and Alex Beaugeard

Four new Liverymen were welcomed to the company this week, at an admissions ceremony in the newly refurbished Furniture Makers’ Hall.

The Master David Dewing said: “We are delighted to have our new Liverymen’s expertise, experience and enthusiasm on board and look forward to them helping us achieve our vision for a thriving furnishing industry, which has a talented workforce producing excellent products and supporting those in need within its ranks.”

Alex Beaugeard

Alex is the Design Director and co owner of McCarron and Company, a bespoke furniture design and production company. He is a trained engineer, qualifying in 2001 and specialising in yacht and powerboat design.  After this Alex gained a Masters in Industrial Design from Loughborough University and started out as junior designer for superyachts.

About a decade ago he moved into furniture design, first with Mark Wilkinson Furniture and later with Linley where he became Sales Director before moving to establish McCarron.

Alex became a Freeman in February last year, and has since volunteered time to the Company supporting Young Furniture Makers.

Jonathan Coulson

Jon is the Managing Director of Blue Crush Communications, specialising in brand development and marketing.  In 2013 Linked In rated him the 9th most engaged marketer.

Jon studied at Durham University before working at MFI, leaving in 2007 to start his own company. Since then he has worked with a variety of companies, most recently B&Q, to help develop their marketing and communications potential.

Jon enjoys travelling and has spent the last decade suffering as a Derby County fan. He joined The Furniture Makers’ Company in the summer of 2014.

Billy Quinn

Billy is the Director of Installation & Services for B&Q in the UK & Ireland, and is a Non Executive Director for dispute resolution with The Furniture Ombudsman.

He received a degree in Business Studies from Manchester Metropolitan University in 1993. Billy moved into the furniture world with MFI , becoming their National Installations Manager in 2002 before moving to Homebase in 2006. In 2011 he moved to his current role with B&Q.

Since becoming a Corporate Liveryman in 2012 Billy has joined the Company’s fundraising committee, and has organised events such as the Homefit golf day to raise funds for our charity.

Edward Woodley-Jones

Edward is the trainee Catalogue and Archivist for Fine English Furniture, Works of Art and Fine European Furniture at Bonhams.

Edward attended Edinburgh University where he graduated with a Masters degree in Divinity in 2010. During university Edward worked for the Prince’s Trust and after finishing his course was employed in the Arms and Armour Department at Christie’s as part of their graduate training scheme.

Edward is a serving member of the Territorial Army and has taken part in a number of aid work programmes such as helping to build a monkey house in Edinburgh Zoo. His interests include archery, rugby, judo and skiing, representing clubs and university at national level.

Since joining the Company in December last year he has become involved with the work of the Young Furniture Makers Committee.