Confederation lunch for industry and policy makers

Photograph shows from left to right: Phil Reynolds of FIRA, Stephen McPartland MP and Chair of the APPFIG, and Jackie Bazeley of the BFM

Our annual Confederation lunch at the Houses of Parliament brought together Corporate Members, trade organisations, MPs and peers to discuss the key issues for our industry and develop further our strong links in support of the furnishing industry.

Clerk and Chief Executive Jonny Westbrooke welcomed guests and thanked Stephen McPartland, Liveryman, MP for Stevenage, and Chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Furnishing Industry Group (APPFIG). He outlined some of the key areas of activity in the year since the last lunch, with our welfare activity remaining constant, education initiatives increasing, and the guild marks thriving.

“I believe it is our Corporate Membership that is really driving industry awareness,” he said. “Activities such as sponsorships, taking part in or running events, spreading the message via their company websites, putting up posters, following our news on Twitter and the website, using our logo and linking to our video – this all spreads the word and helps us to connect with the wider industry.”

He went on to illustrate just a few of the ways in which Corporate Members demonstrate their support.  Furniture Village has again taken the lead in organising Big Shots, our primary annual fundraising event, while Parker Knoll has funded the archiving of the Frederick Parker Collection, a major educational resource.

B&Q Homefit provides a major source of services and products to our welfare programme, sponsors school prizes and recently ran a fundraising golf day for us, raising £33,000.

The biggest sponsor of our Schools Design prize is Brighthouse, with further support from Blum which also provides the prize for the “best in show” at the Young Furniture Makers’ Awards in October.

Many Corporate Members, such as CD UK, DFS and Willis and Gambier, support the Young Professionals course, the annual student tour, or partner with universities to create real, live projects for students.

Jonny Westbrooke continued: “We are not a charity that saves childrens’ lives or seeks a cure for deadly diseases.

“But what we are doing is providing a clear framework of support for a key industry in the United Kingdom.  With the generosity of our Corporate Members we are rapidly getting into our stride with a burgeoning programme of activities which directly or indirectly effects all of us in the furnishing industry.

“Without the extra help from our Corporate Members we would not be able to deliver on anything like the same scale.

“On behalf of the charity, I offer everyone involved my sincere thanks  – it really does make all the difference.”

During the lunch the British Furniture Confederation made the Parliamentarian of the Year Award to Stephen McPartland for his outstanding support of the furnishing industry.

To see photographs of the event click here.