On 13th May, Brian Ahern was installed as the 62nd master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, succeeding Amanda Waring.
The annual installation ceremony took place in the Long Parlour at Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. During the same ceremony, Debbie Johnson and Jessica Alexander were installed as the new senior and junior warden of the company, respectively.
Brian, a stalwart of the British furniture manufacturing sector, joined The Furniture Makers’ Company in 2003, became a liveryman in 2006 and has served on the court – the company’s board – since 2013.
The ceremony was followed by the celebratory dinner in the venue’s Egyptian Room. Around 200 guests were in attendance to celebrate the new master’s installation, and were joined by city dignitaries including the Rt Hon the Lord Mayor, honorary liveryman alderman professor Michael Mainelli; the Lady Mayoress; alderwoman and sheriff Dame Susan Langley DBE; and alderman and sheriff Bronek Masojada.
Commenting on his installation, Brian says: “I am immensely honoured to have been installed as the 62nd master of this great livery company. I very much look forward to working closely with my wardens, Debbie Johnson and Jessica Alexander, to champion our livery and deliver our strategy, increasing membership and promoting our wonderful industry. The next 12 months are going to be very busy and I am excited to represent The Furniture Makers’ Company at city and industry events.”
Brian was born in Harrogate in 1958. Following an early career in the electrical wholesaling industry, he joined cabinet furniture manufacturer Corndell in Oxfordshire and spent 18 years with the company – 10 as MD – before leaving when the company was sold in 2013.
He has been on the board of the BFM since 2004, serving as a director, vice-chairman and chairman during his tenure. He is currently chair of the Furniture Industry Research Association and a member of the board of the British Furniture Confederation (BFC).
Brian Ahern installed as 62nd master of The Furniture Makers’ Company
