Furniture Village has appointed Ian Oliver (Sofa Brands International) to its board as a non-executive director. Ian brings with him a strong track record in retail, marketing, brand development and manufacturing, along with a wealth of leadership experience from some of the UK’s most recognisable names in the industry.
A close friend of the business, Ian is widely respected for his business acumen and his ability to drive growth while building strong, values-led teams, says Furniture Village: "His appointment further strengthens our board’s depth of expertise as we continue to deliver on our ambitious growth plans."
Ian joined Marks & Spencer in 1987, where he spent 16 years in senior buying roles across menswear and home. As head of the furniture and soft furnishings division, he grew sales to over £100m within five years, also establishing M&S’ first in-house marketing department and helping launch the Per Una brand.
In 2003, he became director of branded furniture at Christie Tyler, overseeing names such as Duresta, Derwent, G Plan, Corinth and Parker Knoll.
Following the creation of Sofa Brands International in 2005, he served as CEO of G Plan, SBI Lithuania and Parker Knoll, before being appointed group CEO in 2016, guiding the business through Brexit, Covid, and the cost of living crisis.
Commenting on his new role, Ian says: “I'm honoured to be joining the Furniture Village board and am looking forward to contributing my experience across retail, marketing, buying, brand development and manufacturing. Furniture Village is a strong and forward-thinking business, but what excites me most is the culture – the focus on improvement, and the genuine care for its people.”
Peter Harrison, chairman, adds: “Ian is a long-time friend of Furniture Village, and his experience, insight and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow. He brings a unique combination of retail and manufacturing expertise, and we’re delighted to welcome him to the board.”
