Bed industry veteran Anthony was the MD of Gateway Systems from 1979, and joined Leggett & Platt in 1998, where he ascended to the role of president, Europe and APAC. He went on fulfil the role of executive director at Steinhoff International from 2014-17, before leaving to co-found Rotherham’s Wolf Components, which has grown to become one of the UK’s leading providers of pocket spring technologies.
How might a child describe what you do?
A big office and an easy job.
What’s the biggest long-term challenge you face?
Lack of time – it’s the only resource that I can’t influence.
If you had 10 x your working budget, what would you spend it on?
Acquisitions – expanding our focus on companies supplying the mattress industry.
What would be the title of your autobiography?
‘Open Other End’.
Who’s been your most influential professional mentor?
I am lucky I have had two, my father, and Tom Wells from Leggett & Platt.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It’s a marathon, not a sprint – take your time.
What’s been your best day in business to date?
The first day Wolf despatched and invoiced £100,000 worth of pocket springs in one day.
What’s the biggest myth about our industry?
That the consumer is focused on price more than quality.
What should everyone in our industry either stop or start doing?
Stop selling discounts, and sell the quality of the product.
Where do you see the industry going in the next 5-10 years?
In a word, consolidation – in retail and manufacturing.
What question do you wish we’d asked?
Q. What gets you out of bed in the morning?
A. I love my job!
This interview was featured in February's Furniture News.
