Debbie Johnson was last night (12th May) installed as the 63rd master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, succeeding Brian Ahern.
The annual installation ceremony took place in the Long Parlour at Mansion House, London, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. During the same ceremony, Jessica Alexander and Alistair Gough were installed as the new senior and junior warden of the company, respectively.
Debbie joined The Furniture Makers’ Company in 2011, became a liveryman in 2013 and has served on the court – the company’s board – since 2016.
Her early career included nursing and working in retail followed by a career at the Post Office in marketing and business administration. She later thrived in print publishing, especially with Cambridge Newspapers Group, before running an independent contract publishing company. Her career included publishing the weekly furniture trade magazine Cabinet Maker until 2018.
Post-retirement, Debbie has worked with the City Livery Club and is a trustee for the Andrew Johnson Rowing Foundation. In her spare time, she obtained an Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers diploma with distinctions in soft furnishings, and a stage one diploma with distinction in upholstery. She continues to find time to indulge her love of restoring old chairs and working with textiles.
The ceremony was followed by the celebratory dinner in the venue’s Egyptian Room. Around 200 guests were in attendance to celebrate the new master’s installation and were joined by City dignitaries including: the Lord Mayor, the Rt Honourable Alderman Alastair King DL; the Lady Mayoress; Alderman and Sheriff Gregory Jones KC; and Sheriff David Chalk.
Debbie says: “It is a great honour to be installed as the 63rd master. My passion for both this livery and our industry fuels my commitment to serve you well. I am grateful for your trust and look forward to representing The Furniture Makers’ Company and strengthening our community together.”
