Duo join furniture firm’s design and product teams
The Neath Port Talbot contract furniture company, Ministry of Furniture, has made two appointments to its design and product teams.
The manufacturer and re- manufacturer of furniture recently appointed Freya Dolan to head of design and project management.
Before joining Ministry of Furniture, Ms Dolan worked for almost nine years at high street retailer, John Lewis, in design roles. Most recently, she was a senior designer in the chain’s store planning division, leading on retail designs from pop ups to multi-million pound, new-build projects.
A graduate of interior design from De Montfort University, she has relocated from London to South Wales to join Ministry of Furniture and is currently studying for a foundation certificate in building information modelling (BIM) at the University of South Wales.
“Recruiting Freya to Ministry of Furniture is a reflection of design being central to our ethos,” said managing director, Graham Hirst.
“Freya’s skills and experience puts us in good stead to offer clients a complete package, from the initial consultation and design stage right the way through to fitting, handover and ongoing occupation.”
Ms Dolan said that the company was “well placed to continue its strong growth”.
She added: “The projects Ministry of Furniture has been working on have increased considerably in both size and value over the past five years. My role will be to take a strategic view of our plans, ensuring that we are offering clients exciting, workable designs that are market leading in the workplace and educational sectors.”
Vicki Rees has been appointed as contract furniture specialist.
Ms Rees joins the team from her role as engagement manager at Swansea’s YMCA, previously clocked up an 18-year career with the Remploy Furniture Group, initially as an administrator in its bids department and progressing to design engineer, ultimately overseeing large projects including site surveys and customer and contractor liaison.
Latterly, in her role as employment advisor, she worked collaboratively with employers and job seekers to support people with disabilities into work.
Commenting on her appointment, Ms Rees said: “I am excited to join Ministry of Furniture in a role that offers such diversity and spans all sections of the business.
“It’s something of a ‘coming home’ feeling for me by returning to the frontline of the furniture industry, where I gained the foundations and knowledge to progress. I’ve come full circle in my career and am delighted to be bringing with me more life skills and experience that I’ve gained along the way that I can put to use in my new role.”
Mr Hirst added: ““The two appointments are a clear demonstration of our forward-looking and innovative ethos, building on the progress we’ve made in the past five years and taking our offering to a new level. Both roles fit in well with our existing structure and will only serve to enhance the work we carry out and the results we achieve for customers.”