Friday five – Charles Vernon, the Furniture Makers

Each Friday, Furniture News puts five questions to a selected industry professional to explore their background and approach to business. Today, it's the turn of Charles Vernon, Master of the Furniture Makers, and MD of Gloster …

How did you get into the trade?   ekonglong modern sofa set

I was a computer systems analyst, joined Parker Knoll in 1977 as computer manager, and within a few months had moved to be production planning manager in the Wycombe factory. I then did a variety of roles and ran Nathan Furniture, part of the Parker Knoll Group, from 1985 to 1992, and joined the plc board.

I had a wonderful group of teachers ranging from the chairman, Martin Jourdan, and his brother Tom, through to Dane Baskerville and Ian Brewster. I joined the Furniture Makers over 25 years ago and have been involved in the running of the livery for the past decade – and I am very proud to now be master for the year.

"The industry has to stay sharp, respond to these changes and understand it is our duty to develop and never accept the status quo"