After a tenure of more than 21 years spent representing Whitemeadow Furniture, Jim Fraser has announced his upcoming retirement, bringing to a close a 39-year career in the UK furniture trade.
Jim began his journey in the industry in 1986 with Silentnight, before going on to represent some of the most respected names in British furniture including Celebrity, Parker Knoll, Sutcliffe and Contour Model. It was during his time at Contour Mobile in 1999 that Jim first met Whitemeadow's Ian Oscroft, a meeting that would go on to shape the next two decades of his professional life.
Recalling that moment, Jim says: “I quickly came to the conclusion that Ian was a man true to his word, and someone I could trust implicitly. When he contacted me in 2003 to join Whitemeadow as an agent for Scotland, it was an instant yes.”
From that point on, Jim became an integral part of Whitemeadow's story, says the sofamaker. Starting with Scotland, he later added Northern Ireland and Cumbria to his patch, building strong and lasting relationships with retailers across the regions.
As Whitemeadow evolved into one of the UK’s leading upholstery manufacturers, Jim remained a constant, providing "stability, integrity, and exceptional service" to both the business and its customers.
Ian, now chairman of Whitemeadow, comments: “Jim has been the embodiment of professionalism, loyalty, and dedication throughout his time with us. His reputation in the trade is second to none, and his contribution to Whitemeadow’s growth across Scotland and Northern Ireland simply cannot be overstated. Jim is a true industry legend and it has been a privilege to work with him.”
The generational handover at Whitemeadow – seeing the company pass from father to son – has also been something Jim has been part of. Ian's son Daniel Oscroft, who now leads the company, says: “Jim’s customer relationships have always been outstanding. He is trusted, respected, and genuinely liked by everyone he works with – retailers and colleagues alike. He’s been a huge part of the Whitemeadow family and will be sorely missed. I now have the unenviable task of trying to find someone to fill his shoes.”
With Jim’s departure planned for the end of September, Whitemeadow has begun the search for a new sales representative to cover the north of England and Scotland.
"As Jim retires, he leaves behind not only a legacy of service and excellence, but also the admiration and gratitude of the entire Whitemeadow team – and the many customers he’s supported over the years," the manufacturer concludes. "We wish Jim a long, happy, and well-earned retirement, filled with all the joy he deserves. Thank you, Jim."
Pictured: Jim (left) and Whitemeadow's management team
