The winners of The Furniture Awards 2025 were announced at a presentation in the January Furniture Show’s Social Studio last night.
The awards, delivered in partnership by JFS and its principal media partner Furniture News, aim to celebrate the achievements and approaches of furniture businesses across five categories – Sustainability, Best of British, Superior Service, Design Innovation and Global Player.
This year’s champion suppliers are:
Best of British
Winner: Whitemeadow
Whitemeadow celebrates 30 years of business in 2025. Having successfully scaled its presence to four established sites in Nottinghamshire, the sofamaker’s approach is defined by a commitment to excellence in everything it does.
Always looking for ways to bring more craftsmanship in-house, Whitemeadow brings every element of its product to life on-site. Last year the business went a step further, achieving ISO accreditation and reaffirming its commitment to high standards across its systems and processes.
Holding itself accountable to these high standards, Whitemeadow is focused on maintaining efficiency, minimising risk, and delivering great products – and has succeeded in demonstrating both versatility and depth of range at this year’s show.
The judges said: “Now three decades into their journey and ISO accredited, Whitemeadow exemplify what a “Great British business’ is all about. They do a great job of balancing the needs of multiple and independent retail customers, and continue to lead the way, with investment in training, design, and much more besides.”
Highly Commended: Celebrity Motion Furniture
Highly Commended: Ashwood Designs
Global Player
Winner: Wiemann
This marks the fifth win for German manufacturer Wiemann, a tried-and-trusted brand offering high-quality products, five-star customer service and an enviable reputation.
This family-run European business has been making its mark in the UK and Irish markets since partnering with Litmus Furniture in 2003, and these territories now account for 12-15% of its global sales.
Thanks to significant investment in new machinery and technology, Wiemann has kept price increases to a minimum in recent years, and remains especially proud of its HDI (home delivery and installation) service, which is held in high regard by customers, with a speedy 7-9-week turnaround the norm to most UK postcodes.
The judges said: “It’s been said before, but Wiemann continue to demonstrate a real commitment to the UK market. A strong, innovative supplier, Wiemann also get the fundamentals of customer service right, every time.”
Highly Commended: Qualita
Sustainability
Winner: Gruppo Mastrotto
Gruppo Mastrotto is one of Italy’s leading tanning groups, and a major international player in premium bovine leather manufacturing.
With a progressive vision and an innovative approach, Gruppo Mastrotto invites the industry to look “beyond leather” and embrace continuous improvement, innovative solutions and processes, and to put sustainability first – reducing environmental impact, improving CSR and promoting ethical governance.
Its roadmap is aligned with international sustainability standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
The judges said: “This entry was on a different level! Gruppo tick every single box in terms of putting the right face on the leather and tanning industry, using the right language, providing evidence, prioritising animal welfare, and demonstrating excellent management of sustainable resources.”
Highly Commended: Shire Beds
Design Innovation
Winner: Skovby
Founded in 1933, Denmark’s Skovby has long been a driving force in cabinetmaking, and its latest models reflect the innovation and dynamism for which the brand is known.
The craftmanship behind Skovby’s new #546 Dual Cabinet promises to excite connoisseurs and design enthusiasts alike. This classic piece aims to bridge the gap between past and future, representing everything the brand stands for – Scandinavian design, uncompromising joinery, healthy materials, and intelligent technology. And it also transforms, the interior rotating 180° to reveal three space-saving shelves.
The judges said: “The evidence points to a great comeback from this established design leader and innovator. With motion and technology behind them, Skovby’s latest designs demonstrate both form and function. Take the new Dual Cabinet – it’s extremely rare to see such a high level of innovation in just one piece of furniture.”
Highly Commended: At The Helm
Superior Service
Winner: Welcome Furniture
Welcome Furniture, based in Caernarfon, employs over 220 people and manufactures, assembles and delivers high-quality bedroom and living room furniture.
Every item is made to order and assembled on-site, then delivered directly to the retailer or consumer. Deliveries are made on Welcome’s own vehicles, manned by its own delivery teams – a significant factor in its low returns rates. Many of the delivery personnel have worked in the factory, so they know the furniture and how to handle it.
Welcome operates a tight 10-day lead time from receipt of order to delivery. Home deliveries are booked in with the consumer, who can then track the order to their front door.
The judges said: “A great Welsh company with a real knack for problem solving – which is crucial in the bedroom furniture category, where the potential for error is so high. The level of service Welcome offers is something both retailers and consumers want – and it’s delivered very, very well.”
Highly Commended: Sci-Net
“It’s great to be able to recognise another batch of deserving winners,” says Furniture News’ editor-in-chief, Paul Farley, who co-ordinated the awards and chaired the judging process. “Given the amount of strong entries we received this time around, their achievement is all the more impressive, and sets a high bar for the rest of the industry.
“I’d like to again thank this year’s judges – Malcolm Walker, Emma Leeke, Darryl Simpson, Richard Naylor and Becca Maloy – for their invaluable expertise, and to congratulate every entrant for their efforts in helping to define what a good furniture business should look like.”
The January Furniture Show, taking place at the NEC Birmingham, concludes on Wednesday 22nd this month. This year’s awards (and the Global Player category) have been sponsored by WorldFirst, a leading payments specialist which aims to transform global business with digital innovation, helping SMEs trade confidently around the world.
Find out more about why these businesses made the cut in the March issue of Furniture News.
