This week Jessica Alexander installed as the 64th Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry, succeeding Debbie Johnson.

The annual Installation Ceremony took place in the Long Parlour at Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London. During the same ceremony, Alistair Gough, CEO of Ocee International, and Donna Bellingham, CEO of Shackletons, were installed as the new senior and junior warden of the Company, respectively.

On leaving university, Jessica fell into the furniture industry through a job as a trainee journalist on the weekly publication Cabinet Maker. Over the years, Jessica’s career evolved through journalism, PR, and marketing, as well as running her own company and working for many leading furniture and flooring businesses. She later spent 17 years leading trade association the National Bed Federation.

Past Master Dids Macdonald OBE., Co-Founder and Chair of Anti Copying in Design (ACID) said, “All the ACID team send hugest congratulations to Jessica on taking up her role as Master the Furniture Makers’ Company and wish her every possible  success. We have worked closely with Jessica over many years through our strong links to the National Bed Federationand the British Furniture Confederationaround intellectual property education and there is no doubt that she will bring her special talents and industry experience to this unique role.”

Although now officially retired, Jessica continues to undertake PR work and remains a director of the British Furniture Confederation, the single voice for the UK’s furniture and beds, furnishings, and flooring sector. Jessica joined The Furniture Makers’ Company more than 20 years ago and she has become increasingly involved in the organisation’s charitable and industry work.

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