Member Article

Eight South West winners named among furniture industry’s national rising stars

The South West’s vibrant furniture and furnishings industry has been recognised in a prestigious national awards scheme celebrating the achievements of 60 of the sector’s most talented upcoming stars, with eight of the UK awards’ young winners working in the region.

Launched as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, the ‘60 for 60’ campaign recognises 60 of the most accomplished and promising young people in the sector. From product designers, cabinetmakers and technical developers to logistics professionals, commercial managers and operations directors, the awards showcase the diverse range of career opportunities on offer within the industry.

The South West winners, employed at furniture and furnishings firms across the region were: Jade Farthing, managing director of Haskins Furniture in Somerset; Charles Byron, designer-maker at Byron & Gomez, and Josh Stancer, sales manager at Mundy Veneer, both in Taunton; Jason Perry, senior cabinet maker, and Rosie Hodgson, cabinet maker and workshop coordinator, both at Artichoke in Bristol; Wilma Wyatt, self-employed cabinet maker and designer at Studio Wilma in Bristol; Nicolle Hockin, managing director at Devonshire Living in Bideford; and Thomas Cornick, senior cabinet maker and apprenticeship mentor at Simon Thomas Pirie in Dorset.

Since taking over Devonshire Living in August 2019, Nicolle Hockin has been working hard to reinvigorate the business, including modernising processes and reviewing product development, marketing and company culture. In the last 12 months, she has navigated numerous business challenges, such as increases in shipping rates, supply chain issues and rising fuel and electricity costs.

Nicolle Hockin, 31, said: “Having taken over the family business in 2019, it has certainly been a turbulent time for the industry, so to be recognised for navigating these challenges is an honour and a privilege. As a younger member of the industry in general, I rely heavily on my experienced team and owe much of my success to them.”

Expert judges from within the industry reviewed the submissions and selected the winners who were announced at a special ‘60 for 60’ awards ceremony held in the City of London on 5 December. Amanda Waring, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “We received hundreds of entries for ‘60 for 60’, ranging from wood working to carpet and textile design, showing not only the vibrancy and diversity of British talent, but also that the industry continues to offer exciting and rewarding career opportunities.

“We congratulate every one of our 60 outstanding winners and look forward to sharing our members’ mentoring skills and providing networking opportunities as they continue to develop their professional careers.

“While we have a long history of supporting the UK’s flourishing and world-renowned furniture and furnishings industry, and are celebrating 60 years since we were awarded livery status, we are very much a modern organisation and it is vital that we use our position to reward and recognise emerging talent in the sector.”

To find out more about ‘60 for 60’ go to www.furnituremakers.org.uk/60for60

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Robinson .