Leeds-based Technical Manager Ethan McGuigan has been named Sustainability Champion in the British Furniture Association’s (BFA) Future of Furniture Awards, which recognise individuals who go above and beyond to drive sustainability in the workplace.
Ethan, who works for luxury bedmaker Harrison Spinks, received the honour at the recent Furniture Components Expo held at the Telford International Centre. The award celebrates his standout contributions to the company’s green strategy and his commitment to promoting sustainable thinking across the business.
He joined Harrison Spinks in 2022 as part of the sustainability team, tasked with further improving the firm’s vertically integrated and self-sufficient approach. The Leeds-based manufacturer is known for making its own springs in-house and growing natural materials such as hemp and flax on its Yorkshire farm, alongside rearing sheep for wool.
Phil Spademan, Managing Director of the BFA, said: “Ethan has made a significant impact throughout his company, delivering business-wide sustainability training and improving employees’ understanding of its sustainability strategy. He has created a more sustainable future in the furniture industry.”
Ethan’s influence has reached beyond the UK. In 2023, he was invited to join a panel at ISPA EXPO in the United States, the world’s largest tradeshow for the sleep products industry, where he spoke about integrating sustainability into good business practice. He emphasised that sustainability should not only focus on the environment but also on supporting employees and local communities.
“I was delighted to win this award and am committed to making Harrison Spinks the UK’s most sustainable bedmaker,” said Ethan. “The better informed we are about our production processes, the better we can tailor our solutions to improve. Sustainability is not about drastic change – but focusing on responsible business and being more flexible to the changing business environment.”
Harrison Spinks has long been a leader in sustainable manufacturing. It was the first bedmaker to receive a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in Sustainable Development in 2013, followed by a second in 2019, and most recently a King’s Award in 2024.
Ethan’s national recognition reinforces the company’s position as a trailblazer in eco-conscious manufacturing and highlights the importance of embedding sustainability at the heart of British industry.
More information about the Future of Furniture Awards is available at www.bfa.org.uk.
