The Furniture Makers' Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, is now accepting nominations for its 2026 Young Professional Industry Experience. The programme offers emerging talent a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth understanding of the UK furnishing trade through direct exposure to sector-leading businesses.
© Furniture Makers Company
Designed for young professionals with three years' experience or less, the initiative targets individuals who have shown clear promise and would benefit from gaining a 360-degree view of the industry. Participants are introduced to all areas of the trade, including materials, design, manufacturing, pricing, marketing, sales and customer service.
Eight candidates will be selected to take part in an intensive two-week programme, running from Monday 1 June to Friday 12 June 2026. During this period, participants will visit around 20 companies and take part in masterclasses hosted by organisations including Anti Copying in Design, Hypnos, G Plan Upholstery, Ocee & Four Design, Panaz, SATRA and the Sylva Foundation. A presentation lunch for employers and industry stakeholders will follow later in the summer.
The application deadline is Friday 30 January. Applicants will be notified if they progress to the shortlisting stage in early March, with virtual interviews taking place later that month.
Reflecting on her experience in 2025, participant Jennifer Seastone said: "It was amazing that so many successful people took time out to really show us the insides of their businesses and what was important to them personally. It was also great meeting so many people pursuing different careers and learning about their processes."
The programme is free to attend, although employers are required to cover travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for their employees during the two weeks.
Jonny Westbrooke, CEO of The Furniture Makers' Company, commented: "We are delighted to be refining the Young Professional Industry Experience in response to feedback from across the industry. By moving to a focused two-week programme rather than three, we can make it more accessible for both employers and participants, while still delivering the same breadth, depth and impact of experience that makes this initiative so valuable."
The Young Professional Industry Experience forms part of The Furniture Makers' Company's wider mission to nurture skills, support emerging talent and safeguard the future of the furnishing industry.
For further information or to nominate a candidate, interested parties are encouraged to complete the application form or contact Heather McIntosh, Education and Training Manager at The Furniture Makers' Company.
More information:
The Furniture Makers' Company
www.furnituremakers.org.uk
