Each Friday, Furniture News puts five questions to a selected industry professional to explore their background and approach to business. Today, it's the turn of Roger Darrington-Mosley, MD and lead auctioneer of Midland Furniture Auctions (MFA) …
How did you get into the trade?
I was trained at 15 years old in an auction room and have worked in this industry all of my working life. In 2005 I set up MFA, a family-run business, with the assistance of my senior auctioneer Dean Carpenter.
What was the turning point in your career?
Setting up MFA and building on our success over the years – to take the idea of running a weekly furniture-only auction and make it a reality. We have a good team of people specialised in their respective areas, so it gives me great satisfaction to see them flourish.
How will the industry evolve?
I think the industry will evolve to offer an even wider range of choice for the consumer.
How can retailers increase sales and profitability?
By embracing furniture auctions! From small independent retailers looking to purchase stock, to large manufacturers wanting to clear items without impacting on their full price range, MFA can certainly increase sales and profitability for clients of all sizes.
Do you have an amusing tale to share?
My entire life is an amusing tale! I think I’m viewed as an eccentric cartoon character, living in a windmill and owning two St Bernard dogs. I do think a sense of humour is important – we try not to take ourselves entirely seriously. It is furniture after all, not neurosurgery!
This is an extract from an article published previously in Furniture News magazine. For more stories like this, you can subscribe to receive a regular physical copy of the magazine, or sign up to have a free digital issue delivered to your inbox each month.
