To mark its 60th anniversary, The Furniture Makers’ Company looked to the future by highlighting 60 of the industry’s most promising young professionals (aged under 35) through its ‘60 for 60’ campaign. To discover how they view the trade, Furniture News is inviting these rising stars to share their stories – this month, our quickfire questions go to Mark Denby, head of sales at Saxon Furniture …
In one sentence, describe what you do …
I head up multiple sales departments for our B2C and B2B brands to ensure that all of our customers, retail or commercial, are getting the best quality furniture with the service to match.
What makes you well suited to the role?
My combination of a cool head under pressure and a genuine appreciation for our customers makes me exceptionally well suited to the role. I approach each interaction with empathy and a commitment to delivering exceptional service. By consistently putting myself in the customer’s shoes, I can anticipate their needs and proactively address any challenges that may arise. I am dedicated to continuously improving our processes and services to ensure that we exceed customer expectations and drive long-term satisfaction and loyalty.
How did you come to work in the furniture industry?
I had never considered that my professional journey would take me into the world of furniture, and more specifically, into that of Chesterfields. It was post-university that I stumbled upon a position that required linguistic expertise in German for a local Chesterfield company that was experiencing international growth. Seeing an opportunity to leverage my language skills, I decided to seize the chance, and this marked the beginning of my unexpected journey into the furniture industry.
How has your career progressed since you started?
My journey began with a role that seemed relatively modest in scope – a junior sales administrator tasked with routine admin duties. As I demonstrated an ability to grasp the complexities of our industry, my visibility within the organisation increased. Colleagues and supervisors recognised my contributions beyond the confines of my job description. I wasn’t just an administrator – I was someone who could offer insights and strategic thinking to drive business growth.
Today, as I reflect on how far I’ve come, I’m proud of the accomplishments I’ve achieved. From a junior sales administrator with limited responsibilities to a seasoned professional with a comprehensive understanding of the commercial landscape, my career progression has been a testament to hard work, dedication, and a commitment to excellence.
Where do you want to be in five years’ time?
I see my immediate future here at Saxon Furniture, helping to create a better sales environment and pushing the business forward in to new markets and bringing exciting new products to market.
What’s been the biggest surprise in how the industry operates?
The furniture industry behind the scenes is actually incredibly small and it always amazes me how similar companies can operate – little and large, the processes remain mostly the same.
What does being named one of the ‘60 for 60’ mean to you?
It’s an honour to be named among such great emerging talent. I look forward to catching up with my fellow winners in the years to come.
What would you say to encourage others to join the industry?
Do it. It’s a great industry with many areas of expertise that you can choose to pursue, it doesn’t just have to be sales or the manufacturing aspect of it. If you can find a company that makes a brilliant product with great values, you’ll find yourself really enjoying coming to work each day.
Find out more about the ‘60 for 60’ stars here.
