The British Furniture Confederation (BFC) is a lobby group that represents the furniture and bed making industries of the United Kingdom. It ensures that the views of its members are heard by Parliamentarians and government Ministers and is active in Westminster working on behalf of the industry.
Structure
The BFC was founded in 2006 under the chairmanship of Martin Jourdan. It brought together an alliance of trade associations and unions to speak with a single voice to government. The BFC’s founder members included the British Contract Furnishers Association/ Office Furniture Manufacturers Association (BCFA/OFFMA) - now Commercial Interiors UK, British Furniture Manufacturers (BFM), ProSkills, the Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), the National Bed Federation (NBF), the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers (WCFM), the Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers (AMUSF), and the General & Municipal Boilermakers Union.
After restructuring in the summer of 2008 its slimmed down Executive Board became responsible for the daily decision making of the group. The Board now consists of Chairman Jonathan Hindle, Jessica Alexander (NBF), Phil Spademan (BFM), Brian Ahern (FIRA) and Sean Holt (CIUK). The BFC’s Company Secretary is Jessica Alexander (NBF).
The Executive regularly to discuss issues of concern facing the industry. Along with consultants from public affairs firm Brevia they plan the BFC’s response to government announcements, initiatives and legislation, as well as general political issues affecting the industry.
Issues of interest
The BFC seeks to lobby the government on a number of issues affecting the furniture industry. It meets with Government Ministers, their relevant Shadows and Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum to lobby on a wide range of issues, such as access to energy relief funding, procurement of furniture, skills provision, environmental issues and business support for the UK furniture industry.
All Party Parliamentary Furniture Group
The BFC is a prominent member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Furniture, an association of MPs, Lords and industry representatives who seek to promote the sector within Westminster. The Furniture Group is chaired by Mark Eastwood, MP, Dewsbury and meets regularly online or in the House of Commons when Parliament is sitting.