Harrison Spinks MD, Simon Spinks, has been elected president of the National Bed Federation, succeeding Ebrahim Patel of Vogue Beds who held the position for the last two years.
Accepting the role, which he previously held in 2011-12, Simon thanked Ebrahim for his commitment and contribution to the NBF during his presidency.
Simon says: “I’m honoured to have been elected President for a second time and look forward to steering our association through what will be an uncertain economic climate in the short term. There are many challenges ahead for the UK bed industry but by working together we can face these challenges with optimism.”
Ebrahim says: "I have thoroughly enjoyed my two years as the president of the NBF in which our bed industry has done remarkably well and whilst there are certainly plenty of uncertainties and challenges facing us all in the future we must remain positive with the achievements and successes from all our members have made. We are a great industry which will keep working to become stronger.
"I want to congratulate Simon Spinks on becoming the New President and look forward to working with him and the rest of the Board and staff of the NBF and Sleep Council. I want to thank all the board of directors for the tremendous work and their continual support during my presidency. A very big thank you to Jessica, Simon, Kay and Lisa and everyone else connected to the NBF, and all my colleagues at Vogue Beds past and present that allowed me to make time to carry out the important role of being NBF president."
Simon’s appointment was made at the National Bed Federation’s (NBF) annual Spring Forum last week, attended by more than 100 delegates. The theme for the day was ‘Tomorrow’s World’.
Some of the industries’ leading bed manufacturers - a total of 50 NBF member companies - gathered at Crewe Hall Hotel in Cheshire to hear latest developments from the NBF and its activities, as well as insights into how the developing economy will affect the bed and furniture sector.
Key note speakers included economist, James Woudhuysen, who discussed how new trends in manufacturing and retail - as well as construction and transport - will impact on consumers and their sleep. And behavioural economist, Roger Martin Fagg, spoke about how newly-appointed US president, Donald Trump, and Brexit has made it difficult to develop sensible economic forecasts.
After a final presentation by NBF executive director, Jessica Alexander, about the importance of resource efficiency, product sustainability and recycling, and how this will shape the future of all market sectors - the AGM drew to a close and a drinks reception and dinner commenced.
Jessica says: “This year’s Spring Forum was a fantastic success – we discussed and unravelled some thought-provoking topics centred around not just the bed sector, but how changes within the economic climate of tomorrow will affect the furniture sector and beyond.”
