New chair for British Furniture Confederation

After 10 years of service, Jonathan Hindle stepped down late last year as chairman of the British Furniture Confederation (BFC). The new chairman is Tony Attard, OBE, DL, founder and Chairman of the Panaz Group.

The BFC was set up in 2006 by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers Company (WCFM) to be the voice of the industry to government. Since its formation, its chairs have traditionally been Past Masters of the WCFM– Tony was Master in 2022-3 and President of the Furnishing Industry Benevolent Association (FTBA) prior to its merger with the FMC in 2012.

Tony began his career winning a Courtaulds Scholarship to read for a BSc Hons degree in design management from Manchester University. In 1985, he founded Burnley-based Panaz, which manufactures flame retardant fabrics for the worldwide hospitality, leisure, cruise ship, healthcare and corporate sectors.

Jonathan Hindle said: “It has been a great pleasure and very rewarding to chair the BFC. The Confederation is a unified and determined team with a common purpose. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the chief executives of the trade associations of our broad industry, who have forged a good common understanding. Together, we have worked hard to raise the profile of our very significant sector – which contributes c.£40 billion to the UK economy and provides employment to c. 250,000 people. I wish Tony huge success as he takes over the challenge.”

Tony said: “I am honoured to be taking on the role of chairman of the BFC from Jonathan, who has done such a great job championing our industry in government circles over the past decade. There is much to do, as we grapple with a host of business challenges, both at home and abroad. If business is to survive and thrive, we need government to listen and respond to our concerns. I plan to add the weight of our £40 billion industry to that of other prominent industrial groups in order to promote a pro-business economy that will drive prosperity for our sector.”