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.
7-573: 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,
14-516: A new standard for bariatric beds for people weighing between 150 kg and 250 kg. FIRA has three categories of membership: full, international and associate: FIRA used to share its offices with The Furniture Ombudsman , an independent non-statutory organisation which was set up in 2014. In 2006 FIRA was a founder member of the British Furniture Confederation lobby group. This article about an organisation in
21-548: 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. 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
28-522: Is chaired by Mark Eastwood, MP, Dewsbury and meets regularly online or in the House of Commons when Parliament is sitting. Furniture Industry Research Association The Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA), is a United Kingdom research association which serves the furniture industry. FIRA research and development programmes feed into British, European and international standards for performance and testing; FIRA experts represent
35-882: 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
42-621: The UK on several standards committees. This enables its furniture testing laboratory to apply internationally recognised techniques when testing components, materials and finished products to ascertain performance safety and durability. International recognition also means FIRA testing certificates are accepted worldwide. FIRA's expertise is available on a consultancy basis for business process improvement, ergonomics and environmental management issues. It also provides advice to consumers through its FIRA Service Technicians division. In October 2019 it published
49-557: 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. 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
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