The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, held its 11th annual confederation lunch at the Houses of Parliament in partnership with the British Furniture Confederation (BFC) last week.
The event brought together senior industry leaders and MPs to discuss the sector’s £39b contribution to the UK economy and the priorities needed to drive future growth.
The lunch, held on 11th November in the Terrace Pavilion at the Palace of Westminster and co-sponsored by FIRA, is the company’s most significant annual networking event. Around 150 senior figures, drawn from the livery company and the trade associations that make up the BFC, were in attendance.
The event offered businesses direct access to the heads of the trade bodies and MPs of the All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group (APPFIG). The parliamentary host was Adam Thompson MP (pictured), chair of the APPFIG and Labour MP for Erewash.
Following a welcome from Jonny Westbrooke, CEO of The Furniture Makers’ Company, Jonathan Hindle, chairman of the BFC, provided an overview of the state of the sector and the work the BFC has been undertaking with Government.
Speaking to delegates, Jonathan said: “The UK furniture and furnishings industry is a powerhouse. In 2023, it was worth over £41b to the UK economy, supporting 260,000 jobs across 33,000 companies. In 2024 this total fell to £39b, 32,000 companies and 245,000 jobs – a decrease of between 3% and 6%. This is a very concerning indicator of the current state of our economy and the impact of Government policies that are stifling investment.
“Nonetheless, this remains a substantial industry – one that matters not only to the economy but to communities across the country. Exports still lag behind imports, but the potential for growth is clear, and more must be done to encourage investment in our local manufacturing capabilities.”
Jonathan went on to highlight the BFC’s success in raising the industry’s profile within Government: “A key challenge for our sector is its fragmented nature compared with industries such as defence, which are dominated by large employers concentrated in specific regions. Fragmentation makes raising awareness harder, but progress is being made. Thanks to the BFC’s persistence over the last decade, the Government now attributes industry statistics more accurately within the Commons Library.”
Jonathan concluded by announcing his decision to step down as BFC chairman after 10 years in the role. He introduced his successor, Tony Attard OBE DL, founder and chairman of Panaz, who outlined his vision for the organisation.
Tony said: “Under my chairmanship, the BFC will focus on defending British enterprise and driving growth through action, not words. We will defend British business from excessive taxation, reframe the productivity debate as a national – not just industrial – challenge and hold Government to account for damaging legislation that undermines confidence and investment.
“We will champion the creative industries, push for fair and competitive business rates and energy tariffs, align education with the skills our industries need, and promote practical, proportionate regulation. We will strengthen partnerships with trade bodies and Parliament to turn these priorities into real progress.”
Next, Brian Ahern, chairman of FIRA, gave an update on the ongoing reform of the UK’s flammability regulations. Brian said: “Following the Government’s long-awaited response to the 2023 review of the Furniture and Furnishings Fire Safety Regulations, we continue to monitor developments very closely. The Government has recognised the vital role that robust fire-safety regulations play in protecting consumers while signalling a clear intention to reduce reliance on chemical flame retardants.
“Recent ministerial changes at Department for Business and Trade (DBT) have slowed progress, and the industry urgently needs clarity on the final regulatory position and the timeline for implementation. Future testing regimes must reflect modern risks – such as the declining relevance of smouldering-cigarette ignition tests and the rising concerns around lithium-ion batteries in household devices. Developing and validating these new tests will take time, and we urge DBT to provide an indicative timetable as soon as possible.”
The keynote speaker, Adam Thompson MP, then delivered his first address at a confederation lunch as APPFIG chair. He welcomed guests to Parliament and reiterated his commitment to ensuring the sector receives greater recognition within Government.
Adam said: “I will continue working with the DBT and other departments to ensure British furniture manufacturing receives the recognition it deserves in the national industrial strategy. The sector also faces wider challenges – from fair trading conditions and tariffs on imports to evolving environmental and regulatory frameworks.
“I welcome the collaboration with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on circular-economy policy and encourage continued engagement from across the industry. When businesses are involved early in shaping regulation, the outcomes are better for consumers, for growth and for sustainability. The furniture, furnishings and flooring sectors show what Britain can achieve when craftsmanship and innovation come together, and I will continue to champion this industry in Westminster.”
The speeches concluded with closing remarks from Debbie Johnson, master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, who thanked all the guests for attending.
The BFC maintains regular dialogue with Government and other influential stakeholders to ensure that all policies and initiatives support a thriving furniture, furnishings and bed sector. The BFC was set up by The Furniture Makers' Company, the furnishing industry’s charity and patron. Its members currently are the British Furniture Association (BFA), the National Bed Federation (NBF), the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), and the UK Sustainable Flooring Alliance (UKSFA). It also has affiliations with other trade associations including the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF) and Anti-Copying In Design (ACID).
