Axminster's Managing Director Alan Styles was made a liveryman of The Furniture Makers' Company at the court meeting and dinner recently held at the Furniture Makers' Hall. Alan has moved up from the position of corporate liveryman, which he became in 2013, to liveryman.

I feel honoured to have been made a liveryman of The Furniture Makers’ Company. The Company carries out invaluable work in education, supporting and promoting promising young furniture makers. Its other charitable work includes lending a helping hand to those in need who have worked in the furniture industry, in the form of grants, services and time. We at Axminster are pleased to be able to work with and support such a highly regarded organisation

Alan Styles
Alan Styles
Darran McLeod and Master of the Furniture Makers’ Company Dr Tony Smart MBE

Liveryman, corporate liveryman and freeman

Alongside Alan, Axminster's Sales Director Darran McLeod was also admitted to the Furniture Makers' Company as a corporate liveryman. Membership of the Company as a liveryman, corporate liveryman or freeman is available to those employed or who have been employed in the furnishing industry. Thus, individuals are able to contribute to the industry and its work outside of their normal employment, and even after they have retired.

There are a number of advantages to becoming a liveryman. Among them are opportunities to contribute to the UK furniture industry, supporting the charitable activities of the Company, access to industry information and networking across the British furnishing industry.

More about the Furniture Makers

The Furniture Makers' Company is the British furnishing industry's charity. Therefore, the Company supports the industry by helping those in need, nurturing skills and expertise, and championing excellence.

The Company's full title is The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. It was founded as a guild in 1951 and granted livery status in 1963. It aims to support the highest standards of design, manufacturing, marketing and retailing of all types of furniture and furnishing throughout the UK. The Furniture Makers' Company achieves these aims through a variety of means, such as:
• educating the next generation to create a skilled and talented workforce for the future: working with schools, colleges, universities and companies to create learning and training opportunities
• helping those from the industry in times of need, whether retired or of working age
• the awarding of its own highly prized Guild Marks and Awards recognising excellence

For more about The Furniture Makers' Company, please visit their website.