Mark Eastwood, Conservative MP for Dewsbury, has been appointed chair of the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group.
He succeeds Mike Wood, who has led the group since it was newly formed in 2020, following the 2019 general election.
Mr Eastwood was appointed at the AGM of the APPFIG along with other officers of the group. The other elected officers of the Group are: Wood, Conservative MP for Dudley South; Rosie Cooper, Labour MP for East Lancashire; Greg Smith, Conservative MP for Buckingham; Paul Howell, Conservative MP for Sedgefield; Steve Baker, Conservative MP for Wycombe; Kim Leadbeater, Labour MP for Batley and Spen; James Daly, Conservative MP for Bury North and Conservative peer Baroness Warsi.
‘I am honoured and delighted to have been elected as chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group. Having worked in the industry for more than 15 years prior to my election as MP for Dewsbury in 2019, I am acutely aware of the big challenges the industry faces as we emerge from a global pandemic. In my position of chair, I will champion the furniture and furnishings industry at the highest level of government, to help overcome these challenges and ensure that this vital sector for the UK economy continues to thrive,’ says Eastwood.
‘Mike has done a fantastic job in raising the industry’s concerns and working with the BFC to ensure ministers and civil servants are aware of the key policy issues. This was required particularly during the Covid-19 lockdowns of 2020. I’m equally delighted to welcome Mark to the role. With his background of working in the industry and a constituency with many manufacturers from our sector within it, he is particularly well placed to understand the challenges we face. As vice-chair of the group, he has already proved his willingness to be pro-active on supporting the industry and I’m sure he will continue with even more enthusiasm to help us ensure the furniture industry’s voice is heard,’ says Jonathan Hindle, British Furniture Confederation chairman.
