Furniture Village was named Retail Family Business of the Year and London and South East Family Business of the Year at the 2024 Family Business of the Year Awards.
The business was also runner-up in the Supreme Champion Family Business of the Year 2024 category.
The retailer was recognised for its "consistently innovative approach to retail, fantastic customer service, quality products, rich and meaningful family-first culture, charitable activities and strong growth performance".
MD Charlie Harrison comments: “We are delighted to have won two awards at this year’s Family Business of the Year Awards. As a family-run business, we are so proud to be recognised for our family-first culture and values.
"Family is at the heart of our business – we are not only family-owned and run, but many other families also put their heart and soul into our business every day. These awards are a real testament to our staff, their hard work, dedication and commitment and we are thrilled that this has been recognised.”
Businesses were judged on a host of criteria including philanthropic activities, as well as how much involvement family members play in the day-to-day operations.
Family Business United’s founder and CEO, Paul Andrews, says: “It is an absolute honour to celebrate Furniture Village and recognise its incredible contribution to the local, regional, and national economy. Family firms make a vital contribution to the economy in terms of employment, income generation and wealth creation, not forgetting their activities in communities and charitable support and it is an honour to host these awards and give recognition to their endeavours.
“Furniture Village is a family business bursting with the energy, passion and ambition of its founder which continues into the current generation and the leadership team. Like all great family businesses they achieve their success by creating and sustaining a holistic culture for their business that serves the needs of all its stakeholders.
“Furniture Village are a truly progressive family business, making the most of their family values and embedding them well into their team, enhancing the retail experience of their customers and deserving winners of both these awards.”
Furniture Village was also recognised for its commitment to employee satisfaction. In 2023, Furniture Village won three Best Companies Awards, including UK’s Fourth Best Large Company to Work For, and Best Companies Special Award for Best Improver 2023. Also in 2023, Furniture Village introduced its family partnership profit share scheme and in August, the first family partnership pay-out was shared among 1200+ Furniture Villager employees.
Charlie adds: “We were delighted to introduce our family partnership profit share scheme last year. It has brought our team ever-more aligned, engaged and productive and is already proving to be an excellent recruitment and retention tool. Despite market challenges, it is remarkable that we are achieving our profit target. This is thanks to the commitment and dedication of every single member of our team, each of whom will share the profits of the business, thanks to the new scheme. I know that every member of our team will be so proud that our success as a family business has been recognised with these awards.”
The awards ceremony, which takes place annually, was held at the London College of Physicians, and was sponsored by investment firm, Brooks Macdonald, among others.
Pictured, from left: Nick Stevens (photographer at Furniture Village); Charlie Harrison; Beki Harrison; Paul Andrews (CEO of Family Business United); Kate Stevens; and Peter J Harrison (executive chairman of Furniture Village)
