Dids Macdonald OBE, CEO of the Design & Intellectual Property membership and campaigning organisation Anti Copying in Design (ACID), was last night installed as the 58th Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company and charity for the furnishing industry.

Dids, who succeeded Hayden Davies, is the second female Master in the Company’s history.

The annual installation ceremony took place on Tuesday 14 May 2019 at St Mary-le-Bow Church in the City of London, followed by a commemorative dinner in the stunning Egyptian Room at Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of London.

Around 220 guests were in attendance to celebrate the new Master’s installation and were joined by City dignitaries including the Lord Mayor of London Alderman Peter Estlin, Lady Mayoress Lindy Estlin and Alderman and Sheriff Amanda Vincent Keaveny.

Dids Macdonald OBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “To represent the furnishings industry as Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company is not only an honour but a huge opportunity to champion the outstanding work of this talented sector.”

In a speech to guests, the Master announced that one of her focuses for the year would be increasing awareness of the Company’s welfare support provision to industry workers through the launch of a new campaign called ‘One Step at a Time’.

She added: “I plan on raising awareness about our charitable giving so that every single individual knows where to come if a curveball strikes. As well as encouraging more women to join our ranks as freemen, I will do everything I can to raise awareness about the looming skills gap crisis.”

The evening also included a ceremony for The Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The Christopher Claxton Stevens Prize was presented to Marc Fish for the Vortex Table.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Sir Terence Conran CH, FCSD.

To read the installation speech click here.