Liveryman

After this broad introduction to the business, I was appointed European sales manager, focusing on exporting to the highend retail and trade markets in northern Europe. I later progressed to international sales manager as we started building our US and rest of world business and then international sales director, at which point I joined the board. I took over as chairman from my father, Edward, in July 2022.

Ercol is a business based around familial tradition, and I feel the same about The Furniture Makers’ Company too. Six of my family members have been liverymen, with four of them Past Masters, and Lucian was a founding member of the Company. I don’t think there was ever any doubt that I would join. It was always just a matter of time.

I have fond memories of the year my father was Master – his Installation Dinner and Master’s Outing to Venice, carrying the Furniture Makers’ banner at the Lord Mayor’s Show. I also played my bagpipes at the opening of Furniture Makers’ Hall and piped in Sir David Brewer, the Lord Mayor at the time. More recently, I enjoyed cycling in the London to Bordeaux bike ride. Being admitted as a liveryman in 2022 felt part of the culmination of my own personal journey to being appointed chairman of Ercol.

I’ve still got a lot to learn about the livery, but everything I’ve seen and heard that is planned is very positive for the industry.

All three areas of the Company’s output are extremely important in their own way. Welfare is key regarding looking after our workforces, especially in the difficult times we all find ourselves. Meanwhile, excellence drives us all to be the best manufacturers and designers that we can be. Finally, education is critical to ensuring the next generation will work in the industry and take us further.

Attracting as many manufacturers as possible will always make the livery more relevant and helpful, and while there is a huge pool of experience in the membership, it would always be beneficial to get the next generation of the industry involved earlier than they traditionally do.

It would be an honour to follow in my family members’ footsteps and be Master someday. Currently, I’m focused on Ercol’s journey to a sustainable modern future. I would – when ready – like to work on a similar journey with the Furniture Makers. ercol.com