The importance of sustainability to the UK’s interiors industry was demonstrated by The Furniture Makers Company’s recent sold out Making Commercial Sense of Sustainability event.
Day united more than 70 business leaders, sustainability experts, manufacturers, designers and specifiers to examine how sustainability can be embedded into business strategy in a way that supports growth, resilience and long-term profitability.
As economic pressures, regulatory change and customer expectations continue to intensify, the event offered practical insights rather than theory, addressing how businesses can respond realistically and competitively.
Following an introduction by Jessica Alexander, TFMC master-elect, the day began with a panel discussion on transitioning to more sustainable practices, discussing both achievements and the barriers. The session was moderated by Kate Wright, DFS Group group sustainability director, with speakers including Amalie Aarestrup, Colebrook Bosson Saunders sustainability manager; Timothy Morton, Simba Sleep sustainability data and projects analyst and Rollie Attard, Panaz md.
Aarestrup spoke about designing products for longevity and circularity, ensuring products can be repaired and materials recovered over time: Morton shared work around material innovation and improving recyclability including how the company has refurbished and recycled 61,000 mattresses since 2021 and Attard highlighted the role of responsible materials and durability in developing more sustainable textile solutions.
One attendee commented after the session “
‘What is clear is that when leadership at the top is engaged, real progress follows,’ says one attendee.
Wright also hosted a session on Climate Risks, highlighting how businesses need to act to understand their risks, prepare for incoming regulation to avoid rising costs and ensure that climate risk is a boardroom conversation, not just a sustainability one.
Each presentation was followed by a question-and-answer session to support the opportunities for interaction and engagement.
Sessions on legislation; certification schemes; the circular economy and commercial opportunities followed.
