After a successful first year, the British Furniture Association (BFA) HR Forum networking platform for HR professionals in the furniture industry has appointed a new chair and vice-chair.
The forum is a special interest group offering the opportunity for HR professionals across the sector in retail, manufacturing and supply to forge new connections, share insights and learn from each other.
The most recent meeting saw outgoing chair, and driving force of the forum, Sarah Jane Hutchinson hand the role of chair to vice chair Laura Buckley, senior people business partner at DFS.
Laura moved into HR in 2013 following a career in hotel management. She says: “I have worked across various industries including HR in hospitality, telecomms and sales, retail and manufacturing.
“When I was asked to chair the BFA HR Forum, I was delighted and jumped at the opportunity as there was a definite gap in our industry for this.
“Given that, particularly within manufacturing, we experience various challenges which in part are unique to the industry, bringing like-minded HR professionals together to share and learn from each other’s experience and expertise, was a no-brainer.
“We have already started to generate really healthy conversation, and I look forward to seeing this develop further.”
Kat Crowshaw, human resources manager at Peak Converters, was appointed vice-chair of the forum. Kat worked in the manufacturing sector at companies including Eurocell and Toyota Manufacturing UK, before joining Peak Converters five years ago.
She says: “I’m delighted to have the opportunity to support Laura Buckley as vice chair of the HR Forum. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working alongside many talented and inspiring HR leaders and teams. Their guidance has shaped my journey and supported my growth into my current stand-alone HR manager role at Peak Converters.
“I’m passionate about fostering collaboration and sharing best practice across our sector and look forward to welcoming more HR professionals from the industry to our forum. Together, we can build a supportive network that champions the future of furniture.”
The latest meeting was held at Lebus Upholstery and started with a factory tour led by Lisa Burrows, followed by an overview of FIESTA and the range of resources available to support skills development in the industry by Hannah Hockley. Samarah Dawson from WEBS also gave a presentation on getting the best out of apprenticeships and creating strong training programmes that deliver real results.
The session concluded with a discussion on skills and training chaired by Sarah Jane Hutchinson, head of group HR at Whitemeadow Upholstery, who collaborated with the BFA to launch the HR Forum last year.
BFA MD Phil Spademan says: “Across BFA membership there are HR professionals who are supporting businesses through all kinds of change, from increases in national insurance contributions to technological advancements, evolving operational requirements and recruitment needs.
“Under Sarah Jane’s leadership, the HR Forum is rapidly becoming established as a vital touchpoint for networking, sharing ideas and driving best practice. I look forward to seeing the strides Laura and Kat will make in this area going forward.”
BFA members working in HR can register an interest in joining the next forum by emailing [email protected].
Pictured: Laura and Kat
