The furniture industry will soon have its own “Oscars” as the inaugural Excellence in Furniture Awards launches this January, shining a spotlight on innovation, design, and exceptional talent across the sector.
The most inspiring furniture professionals will take centre stage alongside a soon-to-be-announced celebrity host, on Monday 19 January, at the NEC Birmingham.
Held in conjunction with the January Furniture Show, and organised by The Furniture Shows in partnership with Furniture News, this evening will welcome 350 leading brands, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers for an unforgettable night of recognition and celebration.
Awards categories include:
- Best Furniture Start-Up
- Best Marketing Campaign
- Best of British
- Design Innovation
- Global Player
- Independent Retailer of the Year
- Retailer of the Year
- Sustainability Award
- Superior Service
- Woman in Furniture Award
- Lifetime Achievement Award
A judging panel of industry leaders, representing decades of expertise across retail, manufacturing, and design, includes:
- Brian Ahern, Immediate Past Master, The Furniture Makers’ Company
- Sarah Bianchi, Managing Director, Arighi Bianchi
- Diana Celella, Interior Design and Director, The Drawing Room Interiors
- Paul Farley, Editor-in-Chief, Furniture News
- Andrew Goodacre, CEO, Bira
- Debbie Johnson, Master, The Furniture Makers’ Company
- Joanna Knight, Chair of Climate Change & Sustainability, The Furniture Makers’ Company
- Gisela Lancaster, Head of Buying, Sofology
- Emma Leeke, Managing Director, Leekes
- Deirdre McGettick, Founder, U.Furnish
- Nicola Snell, Managing Director, Press Loft
- Malcolm Walker, Director, First MW
Entries are free and open now. Complete your submissions before the deadline, Friday 3 October 2025 at 23:55 (BST).
Portfolio Director, Zoe Bonser, shares the excitement surrounding the launch: “We’re proud to open the awards up to the entire furniture industry, with categories designed for brands, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, and service providers alike. This is more than just an awards ceremony – it’s a chance to honour the individuals and businesses shaping the future of furniture, and to come together as a community to recognise true excellence.”
Discover the criteria for each award and submit your free entry. Tickets for the awards will go on sale early September. Sign up for an early bird discount today!
