29 March 2024, 06:02
By Furniture News Nov 15, 2018

Introducing The Furniture Awards 2019 judging panel

The Furniture Awards will return to the January Furniture Show in a few weeks’ time. Created to celebrate the suppliers of some of the best furniture and furnishing products launched at the exhibition, The Furniture Awards are assessed each year by a panel of eminent industry leaders, buyers and designers.

New judge Ross Beveridge is MD at Archers Sleepcentre, Scotland’s largest independent bed specialist, and has been instrumental in repositioning the brand from budget to higher-value offerings.“I am honoured having been asked to be a member of this year’s judging panel,” he says, “and I’m really looking forward to seeing the innovative and creative designs once again produced by the very best the furniture industry has to offer.”

Next is Matt Hesketh, MD of independent furniture retailer Anglia Home Furnishing (AHF), whose 25-year career began in a start-up called Uno, and led to him working with ScS and DFS, before joining AHF eight years ago. Since leaving the Anglia Regional co-operative, AHF has become the largest employee co-operative of its kind in the UK.

Returning to the panel is regular judge Malcolm Walker. Having spent the last 20 years directing buying activities at Furniture Village – and over 20 years prior to that with the Maple, Waring & Gillow business – Malcolm now runs his own consultancy business, FIRST (Furniture Industry Retail Sourcing Today) MW, and works with the likes of Furniture Village and Sterling on product design and development.

Also returning is furniture designer Rob Scarlett, founding director of design consultancy Scarlett Furniture & Print, which creates commercial designs for high street retailers, wholesalers and sourcing agents. Over a 15-year career, Rob has worked with Willis & Gambier, Nathan Furniture and Mark Webster, and has launched ranges through Heal’s, M&S, Furniture Village, And So To Bed, John Lewis, and, more recently, Source By Net.

As always, the panel will be chaired by awards co-ordinator Paul Farley, editor-in-chief of Furniture News.

Developed five years ago by Furniture News in partnership with the show’s organisers, The Furniture Awards 2019 are again sponsored by the BFM, and will highlight champion suppliers across the following product categories: Living & Dining Cabinet; Bedroom Cabinet; Upholstery; Accents; and Mattresses & Divans.

The most promising entries will be shortlisted for on-site inspection before the winners are announced on the show’s opening day. January Furniture Show exhibitors can enter the awards via their online manual – but they will need to act fast, as the deadline is 7th December.

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