Thomas Whittingham

I've always had a passion for making things and a keen eye for detail. After finishing a degree in product design I sought out a career which would allow me to do both. After completing a taster course in fine furniture making was completely hooked. I went on to complete a course with Williams & Cleal furniture school in Somerset and haven't looked back.

I was selected by the Crafts Council as one to watch in 2016 through their hothouse program and have since been invited to show my work at some of the most prestigious UK exhibitions including Chelsea Flower show and Celebration of Craftsmanship. The satisfaction of designing a piece of furniture, crafting it from the finest materials, finishing it to the highest standard and then delivering it to a customer who will appreciate it for a lifetime is why I love what I do. 

Chris Burley

After working in IT for 13 years, Chris came to train at Williams & Cleal on our 40 week fine furniture designer maker course to follow his passion for woodworking and as a career change. Chris says that he came to Williams & Cleal to learn the Arts and Crafts tradition of quality materials and making, as well as an honesty of design.

Chris designed and made a number of beautiful projects while at the school including his ‘Bridget’ cabinet (as pictured), inspired by Bridget Riley’s 1964 painting ‘Loss’….as well as a rotating revolving bookcase designed as a commission to house all 94 Agatha Christie titles, a drinks cabinet and a table!

Chris now runs his own successful furniture company, Heliconia Furniture in Bermondsey, South London. Chris has grown his company and now employs other makers to help him produce his expanding furniture range for online stores and private clients.

Byron & Gómez

During their time here, Charles and Marìa developed their making skills and flair for design. The idea for the business partnership formed while they were on course at Williams & Cleal, and with tutorials with Jane Cleal they acquired knowledge in setting up and running a successful furniture business.

Upon completion, Charles and Maria took advantage of our incubation workshop where they now run their business from. This has the added benefit of maintaining access to school facilities and tutor support. Since establishing Byron and Gomez, they have garnered strong attention from the furniture making industry and commercial partners, reflected in the the publicity and recognition achieved by Charles’ final project produced here – his ‘Log Stack’ cabinet. It created a buzz that saw the piece featured in publications such as Wallpaper, Design Milk, ARCH and the Furniture and Cabinetmaking magazine

Craig Selman

I have been making furniture for family and friends for several years in my garage, but learning from books and you tube clips can only get you so far. Influenced by rich 18th century French Furniture and modern businesses such as Silver Lining, I wanted to learn to make the very finest furniture to the highest possible standards using the best available materials and techniques. I have learnt so much in my time here. I never realised that hand tools could do that! I have discovered the possibilities of veneering and laminating, and I am so pleased with the pieces I have produced and the new standard that I work to. My dusty garage seems like a world away now. I have just been offered a dream job where I can continue to learn and have the chance to make some really amazing furniture. Thank you to all at Williams & Cleal. Having successfully completed his course with us and after a number of job offers Craig is working at Artichoke Ltd.

John Hampton - Production Manager at Artichoke

“Artichoke specialises in the bespoke design, manufacture and installation of the highest quality fitted furniture commissions; including bespoke kitchens, bedroom wardrobes, libraries, gunrooms and the full conversions of town and country properties. 

We enjoy an ongoing relationship with the Williams & Cleal Fine Furniture School and we have a great respect and admiration for all that they do. Importantly, they also teach all their students how to successfully utilize and apply all they have learned in a commercial environment.

Within our industry high quality cabinet makers are very difficult to find.  When recruiting, as well as advertising within the industry, we see the Williams & Cleal Fine Furniture School as a valuable source for potential future Artichoke employees.

Former pupil Craig, one of our cabinet makers, joined us following a recommendation from Jane and Justin. He continues to grow within the business. I have no doubt that undertaking a furniture course at Williams & Cleal was instrumental in preparing Craig for a successful career within the industry.

Henry Baltesz

Henry came to our 40 week fine furniture designer maker course from a degree in sciences - but had been making small projects in his home workshop for many years - including small items like hand forged knives and small carved projects.

Henry’s passion on joining the school was working primarily with hand tools, so he created his projects with a lean towards hand tool techniques over machining. Henry made a Japanese Bundai table, a grandfather clock and a Sam Maloof inspired rocking chair during his course.

Henry was successful in securing a job with Artichoke even before he left the course and went onto become a skilled maker for the company. Henry has recently moved on to become a Production Designer for Halstock Cabinet Makers where he has now been for a couple of years now. Halstock Cabinet Makers Ltd are high end bespoke makers of interiors and furniture based near Yeovil in Somerset, UK.