Furniture crafts student Philipp Stummer has been awarded a Medal for Excellence from the City & Guilds Group in recognition of his exceptional talents.
Philipp, from Leamington, has been recognised for his outstanding work towards his Level 2 Furniture Making course at Royal Leamington Spa College – he is now studying for his Level 3 qualification under course leader Jamie Ward, who nominated Philipp for the award..
City & Guilds Group has awarded Medals for Excellence for over 100 years to celebrate exceptional talent amongst both individuals and tutors and this year just 52 awards were made in the UK
Philipp is a former contemporary dancer and has made the transition to furniture making while also raising his young family – he has two sons aged 2 and 3. While studying, Philipp has set up his own business, EarthWoodCrafts, and is also working with furniture maker Armando Magnino on a project for the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford which involves a creating a total of 25m of curved benches for the garden at New Place.
Philipp was presented with his Medal for Excellence by Warwickshire College Group principal and CEO, Angela Joyce, who says: “I am delighted to present this medal to Philipp and celebrate his exceptional achievements. Our furniture crafts students have a great track record in winning awards and I’m glad to see Philipp carrying on this tradition. He is a truly exceptional student who has already launched what looks to be a highly successful career in the industry and we wish him all the best for his future.”
During his time at the college, Philipp has also won a competition to design a donation box for the Coombe Country Park Visitor Centre and won the college’s Andrew Varah Award for the outstanding furniture-making student as well as the Gordon Russell Award. He also exhibited at the Young Furniture Makers Exhibition at Furniture Makers Hall.
Philipp says: “It’s brilliant to be presented with this Medal for Excellence – especially as Jamie hadn’t told me I had been nominated! It’s a really prestigious award which is great to have at the beginning of my career.
“I’ve set up my own business, while completing my studies, and have been lucky enough to work on the Shakespeare New Place project with Armando Magnino which is a fantastic project to be part of.”
Jamie Ward, course leader for furniture crafts says: “I can only speak highly of Philipp – it has been a pleasure teaching him and I feel he will have a successful and notable career in the furniture industry.
“This medal is testament to his determination to overcome his challenges and to achieve all that he has and to very high standards and he continues this professional approach working for himself, designing and making for his new clients.
“We’re proud that over the last few years a number of our students have won the Medal for Excellence, so it’s great that Philipp has continued this success.”
Royal Leamington Spa College offers a range of furniture crafts courses.
