Master and Court members speak at Women in Furniture event

The Master and two other members of our Court were the guest speakers at the inaugural Women in Furniture event at Furniture Makers’ Hall last month.

The event was organised by Zoë Bonser, portfolio director of Clarion Event’s retail division, and took place on 29 June.

In a room packed full of movers and shakers from the furniture and furnishing sector, guests heard from three speakers – Amanda Waring, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company; Dids Macdonald OBE, CEO of Anti Copying in Design; and Donna Bellingham, former CEO of Parker Knoll and Court assistant.

The Master opened the event with a rallying cry for her 60 for 60 campaign.

She said: “This will recognise 60 exceptional people 35 years old or younger working in any role who are exhibiting dedication to their careers and show promise as tomorrow’s leaders. Expert judges will create a short list and Edward Tadros, longtime chairman of Ercol; and John Makepeace OBE, award-winning designer-maker, will then review the submissions and select the winners. These 60 outstanding individuals will be announced at a special awards ceremony in autumn 2023.”

Dids Macdonald OBE., CEO of ACID and Past Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “In a sector where, at most between 20 and 25% are women, there is still a long way to go, looking out to a roomful of women is a historic moment, what a fabulous sight.”

Organiser Zoë Bonser said: “I have held these sort of events for women in different sectors and they have been a resounding success. Not only does it bring like-minded women together, but it provides a valuable person to person networking opportunity which we so need within this industry. More events like this are planned at various venues throughout the UK.”