The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, has presented Dreams founder Mike Clare with a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary contribution to the British bed and furniture industry.
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented annually to a leader who has devoted their life to the furtherment of the furnishing industry and left an indelible mark on the trade.
Mike was presented the award by Alderman Bronek Masojada representing the Lady Mayor, and Jessica Alexander, the newly installed master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, at Mansion House, London on Monday 11th May.
Mike is a highly respected entrepreneur, investor and philanthropist whose career has helped shape the UK retail and furniture industry. Born and raised in Beaconsfield, where he still lives with his wife Julie, Mike began his career after studying at High Wycombe College, working for leading furniture retailers before founding Dreams in 1987 at the age of 30.
Starting with a single bed shop in Hillingdon, Mike grew Dreams into one of the UK’s best-known retail brands, with more than 200 superstores nationwide, its own manufacturing operations and a successful B2B division, before selling the business in 2008.
Mike remains passionate about supporting and mentoring businesses and entrepreneurs. Alongside investments in property, retail and business lending, he has restored and transformed several unique landmark properties, including Scottish castles, a Worcestershire monastery and Victorian sea forts off Portsmouth, converting them into luxury hospitality destinations.
Mike’s contribution to business and community life has been widely recognised. He serves as an ambassador and Deputy Lieutenant for Buckinghamshire, is a freeman at The Furniture Makers’ Company and has received numerous entrepreneurial awards, including an Honorary Doctorate from Bucks New University in 2009 for his achievements in furniture, commerce and entrepreneurship.
In the same year, he founded The Clare Foundation, a charity dedicated to helping charitable organisations become more commercial, efficient and sustainable, with the aim of making Buckinghamshire "the happiest county in the UK". Through initiatives such as the annual Angels Den event, launched in 2023, Mike continues to champion and support charitable causes across the region and beyond, alongside organisations including The King’s Trust, Thames Valley Air Ambulance, Child Bereavement UK and Heart of Bucks.
Jessica says: “It’s an enormous pleasure for me to announce Mike as this year’s recipient of our Lifetime Achievement Award. Mike and I have known each other for practically all our long careers in the furniture industry and I can’t think of a more deserving person to receive it.”
Mike adds: “I am honoured and delighted to receive such a prestigious award from the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, especially when I consider the distinguished names among the previous recipients. I have spent my life in this remarkable industry which has given me so much – friendships, opportunities, challenges, success and of course many sleepless nights which, given my career in beds, feels slightly ironic. The UK furniture industry is a surprisingly dynamic, rewarding, and inspiring sector to be part of – it has certainly made my dreams come true!”
Pictured: Alderman Bronek Masojada, Mike Clare and Jessica Alexander
