Listen to the interview with Lorenzo in a special bonus episode of The kbbreview Podcast using the player below or go straight to it in Apple Podcasts, Spotify or YouTube.

Although it sounds like he’s learned a lot through his apprenticeship with Simon Taylor, for Lorenzo Dell’Aquila, cabinetry skills already run in his blood.

“My father was a cabinet maker, but he specialised in consoles and high-end offices,” he explains, adding: “I think he was even asked to help furnish the BBC”.

As a self-professed fan of subjects like maths, art, and product design, when Dell’Aquila left school, he wanted to pursue a career that involved visual skills and craftsmanship – with cabinetry making fitting that bill perfectly.

“Everyone knows the Simon Taylor brand in Aylesbury, so even though they weren’t advertising for a position, I phoned up and managed to get an interview, and then a job as a trainee. A month in, Simon proposed I started an actual apprenticeship in cabinetry.”

According to Lorenzo, his day to day work at the company can involve anything from handling materials coming off of the delivery lorries, all that way to final assembly ready for packaging and design, as well as everything in between. “It’s a job where I get to combine my passion, skills and care, so I think it’s really great,” he says, enthusiastically.

And despite only joining the company in 2021, he’s already working on a very special product line to mark the company’s milestone 40th anniversary later this year. “I’m working with Simon to discuss the research and development on that limited project. They’ll be incredibly fine pieces, so it’s an exciting prospect,” he explains.

“It might be a bit unorthodox for someone my age to be dealing with all of these projects, but honestly I’m all for it. I haven’t cowered away from the opportunity, I’ve loved it. It’s refreshing, and I feel like my skillset can really facilitate the needs of these projects.”

With his apprenticeship due to be completed next month, it’s clear that Simon Taylor Furniture is incredibly pleased with his progress. In fact, he’s even taken on a mentorship role for another apprentice in the workshop.

“I’m helping him set targets and keeping him on track, essentially making sure he’s meeting his objectives, which I’m more than happy to do. The rest of the team seem to appreciate my help. There’s a culture here where we all help to strengthen the team as a whole, so I really like being able to pass that on too.” 

• Over the next seven months, find out more about each of our Rising Star finalists at kbbreview.com. The winner will be crowned at the prestigious kbbreview Retail & Design Awards ceremony at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on March 2.