27/10/2021

The British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM) has appointed Sean Holt, an association leadership specialist, as its new Managing Director.

Sean Holt brings a wealth of experience to the role, including 20 years’ at board level working in the sport, leisure and printing industry.

Sean as CEO established the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity. Most recently he was the Executive Director of FESPA Ltd, a global trade federation of 37 national associations for the screen, digital, textile wide format printing community, with in excess of 16,000 members and a commercial portfolio of Trade Exhibitions and member driven events.

The appointment comes after the BFM’s current Managing Director, Nick Garratt, announced he was stepping down from the leadership role earlier this year.

However, Nick will retain links with the BFM, where he is taking up the role of Chairman, and will continue working in a part time capacity into the new year.

Nick has been elected to the role by the board to enable the BFM to retain his furniture industry expertise and support Sean in his new appointment.

Current BFM chairman Brian Ahern will move to the role of Vice Chairman, with John Woolley standing down from this position, but continuing to serve on the board.

Nick Garratt said “We are delighted to announce Sean’s appointment as the new Managing Director of the BFM.

“Sean’s expertise in leading a number of membership organisations will be a great asset to the BFM and I am looking forward to working with him to help fulfil our ambitious agenda

“I’d also like to extend the gratitude from the board to Brian and John, for their exceptional services to the company.”

The current structure of the BFM will be reviewed at the next AGM taking place in June 2022.