NEWS
Keith Hislop 1927–2020 The death has been announced of former Gimson and Slater designer and chairman Keith Hislop. He was 93. Norman Keith Hislop (always known as Keith) was born in Holbrook, Derbyshire. He won a scholarship to study Maths at Selwyn College, Cambridge and having been an air cadet at school, he straightaway joined the University Air Squadron and took up his commission to train as a Spitfire pilot. In 1947 he married fellow Cambridge student Kay, his wife of 72 years. Having a young family, he felt that he needed a change of career and so studied at Nottingham College of Art, hoping to move into industrial design, while simultaneously joining the 504 Nottingham County Auxiliary Squadron flying Meteor jets as part of the defence against the
Russian threat during the Cold War. In parallel he was recruited by Gimson and Slater to take the company into the post-war design freedom after the restrictions of wartime Utility designs. He travelled widely and was inspired by Scandinavian design. Even his earliest work still has a very modern feel today. By 1957 his squadron’s role was taken over by ground-toair missile systems and this coincided with a main board directorship with Gimson and Slater, which led through design director to md to chairman by his retirement in 1992. The changes and challenges within Gimson and Slater ran side by side with interests in the wider furniture world, and saw him working on educational bodies and chairing advisory committees and research groups. He was a founder member of the Long Eaton Guild of Furniture Manufacturers.
Cox & Cox sees sales jump
New ambassador
TV presenter Stacey Solomon has become Bensons for Beds latest brand ambassador. The move is its first since the chain was bought by owner Alteri Investments in a pre-pack administration deal. ‘Stacey is one of the most popular personalities in Britain. She’s the perfect match for us and we’re thrilled to be working with her as we transform Bensons over the next few years,’ says Joe Wykes, Bensons coo.
Interiors etailer Cox & Cox has seen sales leap amid lockdown: sales rose by 59% in the past quarter after rising 75% in the first quarter. The increases were driven by increased sales in outdoor living and furniture. The largest uplifts were in desks, office chairs and shelf units as consumers shifted to creating more permanent home offices. In outdoor living, hanging chairs, both single and double, sold in record numbers. The company also saw profits rise by 4.6% and by 6% on budget. ‘This is a very strong set of results, and we have
Jeff Slator 1939–2020 The funeral of former Sheffield furniture retailer Jeff Slator took place on 17 August. He was 81 and was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2014 and died of pneumonia on 24 July. He moved from Bradford to Sheffield in 1968 to manage a furniture store before opening his own in 1972: Mr Slater’s. He retired in 2012. ‘When he first set up his
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shop he had 12 mattresses and was told if he didn’t sell them he could return them. Because someone took a chance on him, he made sure he helped others out,’ says his daughter Rachael. ‘When former customers saw him out and about they’d smile and wave and often he was invited into their houses. There will be a lot of people sad to hear he is not with us.’
Interiors Monthly September 2020
continued to grow share and improve customer performance throughout the quarter,’ says Richard Bell, Cox & Cox ceo. Sales peaked in May with an increase of 96%. Customer retention has increased 25% over the last quarter, while new customer acquisition has more than doubled. The increases have continued through the summer with sales 170% higher in August.
Brussels show cancelled The Brussels Furniture Fair, scheduled for 8-10 November, has been cancelled. ‘The course of the epidemic is unpredictable, and the health risk has become too great,’ says Lieven Van den Heede, general manager. ‘It is apparent that despite a great deal of enthusiasm for allowing the fair to go ahead, there is above all a huge sense of uncertainty. The next edition is therefore planned for 7-10 November 2021. We will use this pause to ensure that Brussels Furniture Fair 2021 is a truly festive edition.’
People Spring manufacturer Spinks has promoted Darren Marcangelo from commercial director to md and he joins the Harrison Spinks main board.
Adjustable bed base manufacturer Ergomotion has named Neil Robinson, former Sealy UK sales and marketing director as UK and Ireland sales manager. After 51 years in furniture retailing, John Findlay, Barker and Stonehouse salesman is to retire this summer. Findlay, who has most recently been based at the Newcastle store, began his career in furniture retailing in August 1969, joining Barker and Stonehouse in 1997, and was part of the team that opened the Newcastle branch.
