The Furniture Makers’ Company, the furnishing industry’s charity, has installed Dr Tony Smart (pictured centre) as its 56th Master, succeeding Ben Burbidge.
The annual installation ceremony took place on May 8 at Mary-le-Bow Church in London, followed by a celebratory dinner at Mansion House.
More than 220 members of the furniture industry were present at the event and were joined by Alderman Dame Fiona Woolf, attending on behalf of the Lord Mayor.
The evening also included an award ceremony for the Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize, The Jonathan Hindle Prize for Excellence and a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize was presented to Richard Williams for his display cabinet made from bog oak.
The Jonathan Hindle Prize was made to Richard Stevens of London-based design company forpeople for their Keyn chair range for Herman Miller.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Margaret Miller in recognition of her 60 years at Knightsbridge Furniture and contribution to the furnishing industry.
Smart commented: “I would like to thank everyone who attended my installation ceremony and made it such a special occasion. It was a remarkable evening and one that I will never forget, among so many friends and colleagues from our industry along with their guests, and in the presence of Dame Fiona Woolf.
“The theme for my year is education, training and skills and I would like to remind you of our Bridging the Gap conference on May 18 at Furniture Makers’ Hall where we will be explaining how the government’s apprenticeship levy will affect companies large and small.”