In the Hotseat: Steve Franklin

Q & A

IN THE HOTSEAT...

How would you most like to be remembered? As someone who always did their best, who was a good husband and father, was loved, helped everyone who needed help, and will be missed.

How would classmates at school have described you? My nickname was ‘Billy Whizz’ as I was very slight and ran everywhere. I had long hair in school so my Dad took me to the barbers and gave me a crewcut which stuck up at the front.

How did you get into this business? My brother Peter was working at Harrods Depository in Hammersmith and saw their upholsterers making beautiful furniture and mentioned this to me. It sounded like the sort of job I wanted to do. A position came up in 1974 for an apprentice upholsterer – the rest is history.

What would you class as your greatest achievement? My two daughters Emilia and Josephine – both incredible, amazing individuals.

Is your glass half empty or half full? Half full. We aren’t here very long and life is so fleeting, so I try to look on the bright side and enjoy every day.

Who has been your greatest inspiration and why? My Father, Robert. He was a hardworking, honest man but suffered from Dyslexia, which I have inherited. This was not understood at the time, so he struggled through life – but this didn’t stop him achieving his aims which inspired me to persevere.

Your perfect day? Because my job takes me away from home, just to spend a little time at home with my family and Pippin the whippet - and a pub lunch. are all incredibly talented artists. Suffice it to say, it’s not minimalist.

…With Stephen Franklin, Director, FaMU

Doer or talker? Definitely a doer, although I also talk a lot! However, I don’t talk if I can’t also do. Having taught traditional and modern upholstery since 1980 and been in the business for nearly 49 years, there’s not much in the trade I haven’t done!

Your desert island disc? Boston, More Than a Feeling.

If you weren’t doing what you do now, what would you be doing? Something arty or crafty – possibly a silversmith or jeweller. I love cooking too, so maybe a chef?

What’s in your living room? What’s not in my living room! I love art and antiques and my wife and daughters What winds you up? Inequality, unfairness and nepotism.

If you could do it all over again what would you do differently? I would try to achieve a better work/ life balance. Very difficult at times with the variety and distance of the work I undertake.

Best piece of advice to someone starting out? Do something you love, something that you look forward to doing every day. And don’t be intimidated or undermined, by anyone.