New master installed at industry livery company

JYSK opened its 30th UK store last month, on Riverside Retail Park in Warrington. It is managed by David Marshall-Smith

The Branded Furniture Company has agreed an extension to its furniture license with designer brand Orla Kiely

John Hancock MBE, a past president of the NBF with a 40-year career in the furniture industry behind him (including working with Englender, Buoyant and Sealy UK) has passed away. John was also pivotal to the founding of The Sleep Council

MPT Group was sold in a prepack deal last month, after going into administration in April. A sale of the mattress machinery manufacturer’s business and assets was completed to MPT Group Mattress Machinery Ltd, with all jobs transferred under TUPE to the purchaser

Next’s full price sales were down -0.7% YoY in Q1 (to 29th April), moderately ahead of expectations (-2%). Total trading sales, including markdown and clearance, were up +1.2% YoY. Online sales were down -1.6% YoY, and in-store sales -0.6%

MattressNextDay has partnered with Simba, to offer its customers a range of the brand’s mattresses and products

Forte has partnered with Swedish components innovator Välinge to use the latter’s new Threespine ID click furniture technology, which it says offers “a radically different way to assemble and disassemble furniture”

Last month, Amanda Waring was installed as the 61st master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, succeeding Tony Attard OBE DL. The annual ceremony took place in the Old Ballroom at the Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. Brian Ahern and Debbie Johnson were also installed as the new senior and junior warden of the company, respectively.

Amanda says: “History and traditions are an important part of the Furniture Makers, and I am proud to be master during the year we celebrate our 60th anniversary as a livery company of the City of London.

“As we look forward to the future of both the livery and the furnishing industry, I will be launching our ambitious ‘60 for 60’ campaign in June [read more on p62].”

Amanda studied furniture and product design, and went on to work as a designer for upholstery and contract furniture companies. In 2012, she requalified as a garden designer and set up her own business. Amanda became a liveryman of the Furniture Makers in 1990 when her father was installed as master. She has served in various roles, on its Guild Mark committees, as custodian of Furniture Makers’ Hall, and as a member of the court for 15 years.

The evening also saw Edward Tadros, long-time chairman of Ercol, awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award. He says: “Over 50 years in the business and the industry, you often wonder if you are doing the right things, so it is very rewarding and reassuring to be recognised by one’s peers.”