The Panaz BCFA Lifetime Achievement Award recognises those who have made a significant contribution to the contract furnishing industry and their companies.
This year’s award was presented to Peter Keen, chairman of Hypnos at the BCFA Annual Luncheon held at the Dorchester.
Peter took control of his father’s business in his 30s inheriting then in its fourth generation, a chair manufacturer and separately a bed manufacturer. Peter decided that the bed business was the way forward and his decision proved to be most fruitful.
Hypnos now employs 600 staff currently across two factories which are located in in Princes Risborough and Castle Donnington. Currently the factories are operating both day and night shifts such is the demand for its quality sleep solution.
In the 1970s Peter was working to a sales budget of £100,000, the combined turnover across all his businesses is now over £70m. Latest developments have been a bed recycling business, which currently processes over 8000 beds per week and most recently a white glove delivery service called, with apologies for the name, Keen & Able.
In retail, Hypnos has an unsurpassed reputation as a holder of the HMQ Royal Warrant and a prominent supplier of John Lewis. This success and reputation is mirrored in its commercial enterprise in hospitality and remains a prominent element of the marketing of its client Premier Inn. One of Peter’s first customers was Rocco Forte and Hypnos still supply Olga Polizzi (last year’s award winner) as well as many other prominent hotel brands.
Peter has always been very active in any organisation that his long and illustrious career has touched. This began back in college, studying furniture production in High Wycombe where he was the chairman of the student union. Peter was chairman of the BCFA from 1990-91 and continued to take a proactive role on its council until 1996. Peter has also been president of the Windsor Royal Warrant Holders Association and Master of the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. Currently Peter chairs the southern region fundraising for the WCFM and is a Trustee of Bucks Community Foundation.
Hypnos holds the record as the longest continuous member of the BCFA.
