Welcome to our new Liverymen and Corporate Liverymen

Photograph shows front row, left to right: Senior Warden Ben Burbidge, The Master David Dewing and Junior Warden Tony Smart; back row, from left to right: Richard Jessup, Peter Holland, Nigel Wilson, Renée Mascari, Martin Playell, Imran Ali, David Goodman, Peter Askew, James Morley, Joanna Knight, Milan Cvetkovic, David Lyall and Gary Thomas

At our Christmas Court meeting we were very proud to welcome the following new Liverymen and Corporate Liverymen:

Peter Askew

Peter is the Operations Director for PegasusLife and has almost 25 years experience in residential development, specialising in the retirement sector. He started out in marketing before moving into the furniture industry, working for companies such as Alpha Utilities, Lifestyle, Limelight, Ideal Kitchens, Good Earl Upholstery, Whiteleaf Kitchens and Risboro Furniture. Peter moved into senior management with a role at McCarthy and Stone before taking a role at PegasusLife. He joined the Company in February 2014.

Peter Holland

Peter is Director of Linear Structure, his own company that he formed in 2009, aimed at developing successful sales processes. Peter received a diploma in Furniture & Design in 1988, starting out as a negotiator for a property agent before working in Canada and the Dominican Republic during which time he also studied for a degree in Education and Modern Languages. In 1998 he moved into furniture with a role at Morris Contract Furniture in Glasgow. Peter joined as a Freeman in April 2014 and is a member of the Corporate Membership Committee.

Renée Mascari

Renée is the CEO of the Kitchen Bedroom Bathroom National Training Group, and Creative Director of Mascari. She has been involved in the industry for over 40 years as a designer and builder, and lecturing in design for South Nottingham College. Renée now runs her own company with her son and is a Managing Director for MDS, a design practice, alongside her work in training for KBB and as a strategic board member for Bucks New University. Renée joined the Company as a Freeman in 2012.

David Lyall

David is the Director of Production for OPM Furniture, and is responsible for production and quality control at OPM. He graduated from the London College of Furniture in 1981 and worked as a furniture maker for Heals, Cabochon Furniture, Peter Milne Furniture Makers, and The Crown Suppliers. In 1985 he joined Osiris, becoming production manager and he continued in this role from 2004 when Osiris merged with Peter Milne Furniture Makers. David joined the Company as a Freeman in September last year and joined the Communications Committee this year.

James Morley

James is an award winning designer and runs his own company, James Morley, designing and manufacturing his own furniture. He moved into furniture following time in the armed forces, the financial services industry and as a site manager for Uttoxeter Racecourse. James moved to Devon to study cabinet making and design in 2001, starting his own company in 2002, and going on to receive a Bespoke Guild Mark and an award at the Axminster Woodworking Show. He is a volunteer member of his local Cliff Rescue Team. He joined the Company in 2005 as a Freeman, and was involved with the Bespoke Guild Mark Committee for a time.

Gary Thomas — Prime Liveryman, Hunters Contracts

Gary is a Managing Director and co-founder of Hunters Contracts, having founded the Company in 1990 with his business partner Martin Playell. Hunters provides office furniture, along with other required services for new builds, for clients including Linklaters, Thomson Reuters, UBM and LCP.

Martin Playell — Secondary Liveryman, Hunters Contracts

Martin is the Chairman of Hunters Contracts, having founded the Company in 1990 with his business partner Gary Thomas.

David Goodman — Secondary Liveryman, Hunters Contracts

David is a Project Director for Hunters Contracts, concentrating on the delivery of major contracts. He joined the company soon after it was formed in 1991.

Imran Ali — Prime Liveryman, Lectra

Imran is the Sales Director for the UK and Ireland for Lectra. He studied Accounting & Finance at the University of Bradford before moving into corporate events and telecoms. In 2009 he moved to Level 3 Communications as a Sales Director, working with companies throughout the EMEA area. Lectra develops the most advanced specialized software and cutting systems and provides associated services to a broad array of markets including fashion (apparel, accessories, footwear), automotive (car seats and interiors, airbags), furniture, as well as a wide variety of other market sectors.

Richard Jessup — Secondary Liveryman, Lectra UK

Richard is an Account Director for Lectra, having joined the company earlier this year. He studied Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University, before moving into sales with roles at C Dugard Ltd and Mills CNC Ltd. In 2010 he moved to a sales role dealing with CAD for NT CADCAM Ltd, and then a similar role with Symetri in 2013 before moving onto Lectra.

Nigel Wilson — Secondary Liveryman, Lectra UK

Nigel is an Account Director for Lectra, joining the company in June 2014. He studied business at the University of Ulster, going on to work in sales for Maersk Line, a shipping company. Nigel took his first role with a tech company in 1999 as a production manager for Citrix, before going on to work in IT security and developing business for UK start ups AppSense and Flexera Software.