The Qualified Team
The team are supportive, highly skilled and passionate about furniture.
Jane Cleal, as principal and tutor, brings over 20 years experience. An award winning designer and maker, she also has a proven track record as a higher education lecturer and department head.
Justin Williams is not only a highly skilled craftsperson, but has 18 years practical experience of establishing and running a highly successful furniture making business.
As workshop tutor, James Ralph has worked for ten years with internationally renowned John Makepeace OBE, and will provide hands-on tutoring in making skills and workshop techniques.
Timothy Alcock, a skilled designer and maker will also be available to assist in the workshop.
Sue Bennett is on hand to help in her role as course administrator.
Jane Cleal
I developed my passion for furniture at an early age and studied a 3-year fine furniture craft and management course at Buckinghamshire College obtaining a distinction. In 1988 I attended a lecture by Alan Peters OBE who was directly linked to the Arts and Crafts movement and had been apprenticed to Edward Barnsley. I was so inspired I approached him and successfully obtained an apprenticeship at Alan's workshops in Devon.
My experiences as a designer, maker and lecturer have combined to help ensure Williams and Cleal offer exceptional design, quality craftmanship and now dynamic and rewarding furniture making courses.
James Ralph
I trained at Rycotewood College in Oxfordshire in Furniture Design and Fine Craftsmanship before moving on to work for John Makepeace OBE for 10 years.
I worked on a number of iconic pieces and was awarded two Guilds marks by The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers for a tall chest of drawers 'Eighteen' and a ladies writing desk before running my own furniture business for four years.
Justin Williams
I also studied a 3-year fine furniture craft and management course at Buckinghamshire College before working as a furniture maker for a craft business in the New Forest.
In 1990 I set up Williams and Cleal with Jane to make beautiful bespoke furniture. I am truly passionate about materials and quality of finish. The team and I pride ourselves on the level of detail and precision we obtain from complex designs.
Timothy Alcock
I started out in the building industry but soon realised I had a natural leaning towards woodwork, in particular furniture. I enrolled on the furniture course, also at Buckingham College and in 2001 I joined Williams and Cleal.
I now design and make furniture and am delighted to be sharing my workshop with enthusiastic students with whom I can share my skills.
Sue Bennett
My prime focus as the course administrator is to be on hand for students to ensure any queries are answered and requirements met both prior to the start of the course and throughout.
If you have any queries, do not hesitate to contact me.