Nine new freemen have joined The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry charity and City of London livery company.
The ennead declared their support to the company and were formally welcomed by Brian Ahern, immediate past master, pictured with Jessica Alexander, senior warden.
From left to right: Beth Grover, Carbon Efficiency, design consultant; James Viney, Clockwork Components chairman and joint-md; Kim Pinnington, Telegraph Contract Furniture owner; Josh Topham, Create Seating production manager; Robert Stephenson, Sedilia founder and md; Nick Sneller, Nick Sneller Designs owner;
Susan Mancini, Studio 1718 commercial manager; Anees Mehkri, Mela Artisans head of design – consultant and Simon Taylor; Simon Taylor Furniture md.
‘I’m joining The Furniture Makers’ Company to connect with like-minded designers, manufacturers and retailers who are equally passionate about good making and creativity. I want to share my experience in handicrafts, material innovation and sustainable design, work with local craftsmen, and find partnerships to bring their talent and UK-led work to a global audience,’ says Mehkri.
‘Becoming a freeman of The Furniture Makers’ Company is a great privilege, offering the opportunity to continue learning from those with far more experience and to join a community I deeply respect,’ says Grover.
‘It is a great honour to be admitted as a freeman of The Furniture Makers’ Company. Joining the company is a privilege that reinforces our dedication to the industry as a third-generation family business,’ says Pinnington.
Taylor says he wants ‘contribute to and learn from a community dedicated to excellence in design and craftsmanship,’ while Sneller says he is ‘looking forward to networking and sharing with the wide variety of individuals and businesses that make up the UK furniture industry.’
The charity has been supporting the welfare of employees in the furnishing industry, past and present, for 120 years; through its many prizes, bursaries, tours, programmes and opportunities for professional development and growth, it is committed to ensuring that the future of the industry is bright; and the Guild Marks and awards raise the profile of British design, innovation and manufacturing, recognising excellence and the highest standards in design and production.
Becoming a freeman is the first level of individual membership within the livery company. For many, it is the first step towards becoming a liveryman, the senior membership tier that carries voting rights in the governance of the City of London.
