FISP appoints new chair of steering group

Court assistant Joanna Knight has been appointed chair of the Furniture Industry Sustainability Programme (FISP) Steering Group.

FISP is an independently certified sustainability programme tailored to the needs of the Furniture Industry supply chain. FISP promotes best practice to drive social, economic and environmental change, via continual improvement of members’ business operations. There are currently c 80 members.

The FISP Steering Group is responsible for the overall management of the FISP scheme, comprising representatives from major trade associations, sustainability experts and FISP members. FISP

The role is a two-year appointment, revolving between the four trade associations which support the programme: British Furniture Association (BFA; Commercial Interiors UK (CIUK); Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA); and National Bed Federation. Joanna takes over from Jessica Alexander, who held the post since 2023 on behalf of the NBF.

Joanna has over 35 years’ experience working in the furniture sector, primarily in the office and contract markets. In 2001, she was a founder director of a company which led the field in environmental and lifecycle management of furniture. She now works as a sustainability consultant and was appointed as a Council member at FIRA in 2001.

A Chartered Environmentalist and Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, Joanna is focussed on knowledge sharing and support for the furniture industry to achieve greater sustainability.

Joanna said: “Since its formation in 2006, FISP has become the benchmark for sustainable practices in the UK furniture industry. I am delighted to be appointed as chair of the Steering Group and look forward to working with colleagues to continue to develop and enhance the criteria to ensure continuous improvement and relevance.”