Furniture Makers convene in Westminster

The Furniture Makers’ Company, the British furnishing industry’s central organisation, charity and patron, hosted its third annual confederation lunch in The Churchill Room at the House of Commons on Tuesday 19th March. The event brought together some of furnishing industry’s most senior figures with MPs to discuss the issues most affecting the industry today. ekonglong executive chair

The lunch is the company’s most significant networking event of the year for its corporate members, allowing them direct access to the heads of the trade bodies that make up the British Furniture Confederation (BFC) and MPs of the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Group (APPFG). Stephen McPartland, chairman of the APPFG, was the parliamentary host and keynote speaker.

Jonny Westbrooke, chief executive and clerk of the Furniture Makers, highlighted some of the key initiatives that have taken place during the year following the merger with the Furniture Industry Trust, including the growth of the company’s corporate membership base, the company’s charitable activities, and the plans to expand the company’s involvement with young people and graduates coming into the industry.

Charles Vernon, master of the Furniture Makers, said: “The confederation lunch plays an important part in maintaining an open dialogue with law-makers. We thank the APPFG for inviting us to meet them in the Houses of Parliament.”

Pictured are: Jonny Westbrooke - Chief executive and clerk at the Furniture Makers; Gary Baker, MD of CD UK; and Stephen McPartland, chairman of the APPFG.