THE COMPANY’S COMMITTEES

The Company’s wide range of activities and events are made possible by many very active committees Apart from a few standing committees essential for the governance of the Company, the committees detailed below have members from all sectors and age groups of the industry� Every member is encouraged to become involved with the running of the Company and to develop relationships and experience which will be of benefit to them throughout their membership as well as giving something back to the industry they enjoy�

Committees are usually chaired by a Court member� They may meet formally in person or by video link about four times a year�

Individual members may be tasked to take an action forward between meetings� Members normally serve for three years only so as to encourage fresh ideas Early in the calendar year, volunteers are sought to join committees in the ensuing livery year� Committee work can be demanding at times but it is one of the key ways that members can give back to the organisation and help drive the Company’s strategy forward It also provides an additional opportunity for members to get to know each other�

Here is a list of the committees that members can request to join�

Bespoke Guild Mark

The Bespoke Guild Mark Committee determines if applications are of sufficient quality to receive the prestigious Bespoke Guild Mark, which recognises excellence in design, materials, craftsmanship and function of pieces of furniture made as single items or a limited run�

Climate Change And Sustainability

This committee is focussed on identifying opportunities to champion ‘best practice’ among members and to act as a conduit for collaboration and knowledge sharing�

Communications

The Communications Committee directs how the Company is viewed both internally and externally� It oversees the Company’s website, the Austin Friar, brochures, newsletters and social media�

Corporate Membership

The Corporate Membership Committee is responsible for growing corporate membership and for organising various events for corporate members�

Custodians Of The Hall

The Custodians Committee is responsible for ensuring that Furniture Makers’ Hall maintains the appropriate look and feel in terms of interior decoration and furnishing�

Design Guild Mark

The Design Guild Mark Committee oversees the annual Design Guild Mark awards process, which aims to raise the profile of British industrial design and to recognise excellence in this discipline� It is judged by a panel of renowned design experts and the committee subsequently ensures that the award winners receive appropriate publicity and benefit�

Training And Education

The Training and Education Committee is responsible for the running of the Company’s programme of initiatives and events that support and inspire young people who wish to build a career in the UK furnishing industry�

Frederick Parker

The purpose of the Frederick Parker Committee is to manage and develop the Frederick Parker Chair Collection and Archive as an educational resource� It raises awareness of the significance of the collection and ensures it is used principally to inspire schoolchildren, students, designers and manufacturers to be creative and innovative�

Fundraising

The Fundraising Committee oversees the Company’s fundraising campaigns and events

Membership And Events

The Membership and Events Committee discusses the structure of the membership and recommends improvements It is tasked with recruiting appropriate freemen, developing ties with new members, and ensuring that freemen and liverymen are receiving appropriate membership benefits� The committee also oversees the broad programme of social events across the country while seeking new and interesting venues and activities

Manufacturing Guild Mark

The Manufacturing Guild Mark is awarded to British manufacturers which have demonstrated the highest standards across all areas of their businesses by successfully passing a rigorous, independently reviewed audit� The committee encourages companies to apply for the award and ensures the holders receive appropriate publicity

Regional Committees

Several regional committees have been set up around the UK to help communicate the Company’s message across the country and help in fundraising and events Details of the regions can be found on the website: furnituremakers.org.uk/regions

Wine

The Wine Committee is responsible for selecting and purchasing the wine for Company functions and events The committee also organises specific wine events for the membership to attend, as well as providing the twice-yearly lists of special offers to members of carefully selected wines from the Company’s suppliers