Eight young professionals complete industry experience

Eight young professionals – all earmarked as future leaders - have just completed a unique three-week tour of businesses operating in the UK furniture and furnishing industry, facilitated by The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry.

Relaunched in 2024 after a five-year hiatus, the Young Professionals Industry Experience (YPIE) is one of the charity’s educational initiatives that gives a small group of handpicked professionals a comprehensive overview of businesses representing all sectors of the wider industry.

This year’s participants were:

Ellie Amodio, senior marketing executive, Sleepeezee Claire Anderson, assistant production manager, George Smith Ltd Jess Blake, social media manager, Saxon Furniture Lydia Burrows, head of brand experience, HSL Chairs Gabriella Charlton-Little, account manager, Colebrook Bosson Saunders Jordan Hargadon, new product development team leader, Silentnight Tab van der Lande, furniture designer maker at Sebastian Cox Ltd Thomas O’Neil, senior design and projects engineer, Race Furniture

The group spent three weeks across June and July travelling around the UK visiting 20 companies to learn about the furniture supply chain, including raw materials and components, manufacturing, pricing, marketing, merchandising and intellectual property.

The companies the group visited were:

Anti Copying in Design Axminster Tools Blum UK Colebrook Bosson Saunders Designer Contracts Ercol Ergochair Frogmore Conservation Workshop, part of the Royal Household G Plan Halstock Cabinet Makers John Makepeace OBE MillerKnoll Ocee & Four Panaz SATRA Silentnight Simon Thomas Pirie Furniture Shackletons Sylva Foundation Vita, Prima Foam William Hands

Six of the group presented their individual experiences to representatives of the host companies as well as other industry dignitaries at Furniture Makers’ Hall, London on Thursday 25 July.

“The culmination of this unique three-week intensive programme around the UK was a fascinating day," says Brian Ahern, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company. "It was wonderful to hear what each person got out from the experience and equally very inspiring. The experience would not have happened without the commitment of our corporate members and supporters, so thank you to all of them.”

Claire Anderson, assistant production manager, George Smith Ltd, adds: “YPIE has been a once-in-a-career opportunity for me to gain open and honest access to some of the best businesses in the furniture industry. I have been inspired by the thought-provoking masterclasses at every visit, and I am looking forward to implementing this new learning in my role at George Smith. Through the experience I have connected with industry leaders and among my fellow participants, made seven new industry friends. Thank you, Furniture Makers’ Company, for a truly impactful experience!”