Lee Cannings
Company Director/Craftsman
Date of Birth: 1972
Lee is a skilled craftsman/cabinetmaker with antique and reproduction furniture trade knowledge from over 8 family generations. He is responsible for overseeing the smooth operation of the shop floor as well as deliveries, stock control, quotations and training. Lee also specialises in French Polishing, Cabinet Making, glazing, door barring, leather lining and inlays.

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Lisa Symons
Company Director/Sales Manager
Date of Birth: 1975
Like her brother Lee, Lisa has gained the trade knowledge from over 8 family generations. Her role is to generate sales and marketing, as well as responsible for customer liaison, personnel, general administration and office management. Any general queries such as brochures, repairs, ordering components and repeat orders can be done via Lisa, who is contactable on 01708 741135/07956 480 361, or by email at info@abbeyantiques.net
Lisa specialises in upholstery costings/quotations.

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Anne Cannings
Company Secretary/Finance Manager
Date of Birth: 1947

With over 40 years experience within the Family Trade, Anne has the highest understanding of the business and its history, which has paved the way for her children, Lee and Lisa, to continue in the story of its success. Anne is responsible for supplies, materials, invoices, salaries and managing accounts.

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David Brown
Hand French Polisher and Sprayer
Date of Birth: 1950
With more than 35 years experience, David has worked throughout the family generations and is a thoroughly professional skilled hand French polisher. With his unique gift we are able to match any colour our clients desire with any type of veneer.

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Lee Woodard
Hand French Polisher and Sprayer
Date of Birth: 1981

Lee joined as an apprentice in July 2000, with 2 years previous experience within the furniture and upholstery trade. Since this time, Lee has progressed as a Hand French Polisher and Sprayer Polisher as well as achieved the skills of table leathering and component fitting. With the guidance and wisdom from our expert Dave Brown and Mark Horridge, Lee has succeeded to become as professional as a Hand French Polisher/Sprayer. A valued employee.

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Bob Chessell
Wood Machinist and Spindle Hand
Date of Birth: 1945

With over 40 years experience within the reproduction furniture antique trade, Bob is responsible for all aspects and operations within the mill. Due to his role, Bob is a very conscious and competent member of the team and observes each and every detail.

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Stephen Thompson
Veneer Presser, Hand Inlayed Layer and Sander
Date of Birth: 1954

With over 26 year’s experience, including band saw and other machinery procedures, Steve has specific skills for veneer matching on any type of furniture/feature. Steve also has the ability to inlay by hand or machine press, which can be produced in various sizes or woods to suit individual needs with a varied choice of colour and contrast.

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Nicholas Shields
Date of Birth: 21st September 1976
Nic joined Abbey Antiques in July 2010 and has recently finished his degree in Furniture Restoration and Conservation. Previous to this, he has been working in the trade for approx 7 years and worked for one of the Worlds Best Antiques Fine Art Conservation Companies. He can work with a wide range of materials, tools and machinery and is a technical competent person. Nicholas is a hard worker and extremely passionate about antiques and the need for proper restoration. Nic will be a truly valuable member of staff and is very conscious observing each and every detail.

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James Wright
Trainee French Polisher and Cabinet Maker
Date of Birth: 1992

James has been working with us since September 2007 and was employed through a work placement training scheme based upon one day week training. We are very pleased to announce that as from September 2009 James has now become a full time employee and on an apprenticeship scheme where he attends college every Thursday and for the rest of the week you will see him hard at work at the factory or on site where he will be further trained in the skills of woodwork, French polishing and deliveries. James lives local and is very keen to follow this career.

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Roy Saunders
Part Time Cabinet Maker/Wood Machinist
Date of Birth: 1947
Roy works Monday to Wednesday part time for Abbey Antiques and is a very valued team member due to 45 years of experience as a wood machinist and cabinet maker therefore able to turn his hands to any kind of woodwork required.

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Lesley Thomas
Business Development Manager
Date of Birth: 1963

With her 18 years experience in marketing and customer care, Lesley is responsible for developing new business to business projects for the company. She will also be working with Lisa ensuring that we continue to provide award winning customer service to all our clients. Lesley is contactable on 01708 741135 or by email at lesley@abbeyantiques.net

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Allan Booth
Date of Birth: 21st September 1976

Our newest member to join the Abbey Antiques long extended family history will be working very close with Bob every Monday and Tuesday as an apprentice in order to gain the knowledge and skills of all aspects within the mill and press. We are willing to investment the time and money on Allan as we believe he will go a long way at Abbey Antiques as he has the passion and termination to learn and develop his skills into this role. Allan who was previously in the Army, also has a hobby for renovating Camper Vans so he has a love to bring things back to love and restored to their former glory.

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Brian Fitzsimons
Date of Birth: 12th May 1976

Brian, from Romford, joined Abbey Antiques at the end of June and his role is to help with future deliveries/collections as well as general woodwork assistance. Brian is confident and has a swift rapport with the members and customers. His main role at the factory will be Quality Control and ensuring everything is tagged, logged and checked before loading and unlading. Brian has just finished Level I in Woodwork/Carpentry/Joiniery and is progressing to Level II later this year. He has a love for woodwork and traditional craftmanship but his other passion is his children, Jack who is one years old and Frankie, his daughter, who will be 5 later this year. With a 5 year HGV driving licence Brian should be able to handle the van and the various wonderful routes/locations that Abbey Antiques visit.

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Lavinia Symons
Future Director

Lavinia Symons was born in March 2007 and is the newest member as well as the 9th Family Generation to join Abbey Antiques. You will often see Lavinia at work with mum Lisa, Nan Anne and Uncle Lee. At present Lavinia's role has started early and can see her moving into PR as so far she has managed to get Abbey Antiques in various local papers with regards to Editorial Features and on 11th July 2007 Abbey Antiques will be featured on BBC2 Working Lunch at 12.30pm where Lavinia has been filmed and interviews taken place with members of the family with regards to working with family and the history behind Abbey Antiques.

Most recently Lavinia has managed to gain interest from the Sunday Express where there is a feature/write up in May 2008 regarding the story/history/working life between Grandmother Anne, Mother Lisa and Daughter Lavinia.

Cameron Symons
Future Director

Cameron Symons was born in June 2009 and is the newest member as well as the 9th Family Generation to join hopefully in the future with his sister Lavinia at Abbey Antiques. You will often see Cameron at work with mum Lisa, Nan Anne and Uncle Lee (or for sure you will hear his cry in the background if on the phone). At present Cameron is “sleeping on the job” but we have high hopes for him to take over the family tradition with his sister and become a skilled Cabinet Maker/French Polisher to carry on the family business for many more years/generations.

A more detailed job description of each staff member is available.
Please contact us: info@abbeyantiques.net

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