Specialist upholstery and furniture reupholstery business Manthorpe Furniture has confirmed the appointment of two new team members, strengthening its production capabilities following its recent relocation to Ellesmere Business Park, Grantham.
The business says the new hires support continued growth across both residential and commercial work, as demand increases for bespoke upholstery and reupholstery services, and that they follow Manthorpe Furniture’s move to a larger workshop and showroom, which has enabled improved workflow, faster turnaround times and increased production capacity.
Janine Bond (Jan) has joined the business as a sewn cover maker, bringing several years of professional experience to the role. Most recently, she worked manufacturing feather cushions for a local filling supplier, building on a lifelong interest in sewing that began as a hobby before developing into a career.
Darren Whitten has joined the business as a production operative, supporting the upholstery team across day‑to‑day manufacturing and preparation work. While Darren is new to the upholstery industry, he has already demonstrated a strong willingness to learn and a practical approach to the role, says Manthorpe Furniture. His appointment allows the business to restructure workload within the workshop, enabling Manthorpe Furniture’s apprentice to progress onto more skilled upholstery tasks as part of their ongoing development.
“These two appointments are a really positive step for us,” says James Truswell, the founder of Manthorpe Furniture. “Jan brings valuable professional sewing experience that strengthens our core upholstery capability, while Darren’s role helps us support the whole team more efficiently. Together, they allow us to maintain quality while responding to increasing demand.
"Growth for us isn’t about numbers alone – it’s about having the right people and the right skills in place,” he adds. “These appointments give us greater flexibility in the workshop and help us continue delivering high‑quality upholstery work for both homeowners and commercial clients.”
Pictured: Jan, James and Darren
