Simon Hewitt has taken over the MD’s mantle at Litmus Furniture, the agency founded by his father Peter Hewitt in 1995. Litmus is best known as sole agent in the UK and Ireland for German bedroom manufacturer Wiemann, and also represents Spanish upholstery supplier Gamamobel.
“It’s two years since Simon joined the business and it was always the intention for me to step to one side and let him take the lead once he had got his feet under the table,” says Peter.
“It’s time for me to let go, have a few more holidays, learn how to play golf - and let a new generation take the company forward. I will however continue to play an active and supporting role, as long as my 30 years’ experience in this industry and the contacts I have continue to prove of use! Also, as I’m based in the north and Simon in the south, there is a still a natural divide for us in terms of overseeing accounts.”
Peter’s own furniture industry career prior to founding Litmus includes more than 10 years as MD of Dorlux Beds, during which time he was on the NBF council and chairman of The Sleep Council, as well as four years consultancy, working with businesses as varied as Hypnos and Kyoto Futons.
Simon has a background in senior sales and marketing positions with Procter & Gamble, Diageo and Red Bull. “It was a big decision to join my father two years ago – but I could see the potential for developing the business even further. Litmus has a proven track record in growing brands and as a sales agency we have expertise in sales planning and execution and loads of ambition. I’m really excited about the future.”
