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.
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 lisa@abbeyantiques.net.
Lisa specialises in upholstery costings/quotations.
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.
Mark Horridge
Hand French Polisher and Sprayer
Date of Birth: 1968
Mark joined Abbey Antiques as a French
Polisher and has provided over 14 years experience via his father in
polishing, colour matching and traditional time honoured hand French
polished finish. He is a valued member of the team with a long-term
future within this company as a Skilled Craftsman and Polisher.
David Brown
Hand French Polisher and Sprayer
Date of Birth: 1951
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.
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.
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.
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.
Ian Horridge
Skilled Cabinet Maker and Craftsman
Date of Birth: 1958
Ian has over 33 years knowledge/experience and specialises in handcrafted
designs of making reproduction antique furniture and modern items.
Ian is skilled with Kitchen and Bedroom Designs and Installations and
all aspects of the mill and press. A very experienced member of the
team who specialises in our kitchen and bedroom fittings.
Proving your never too old to learn, Ian, 50, has gained new experience in manufacturing Reproduction Clocks from case to the individual mechanisms and chimes.
James Wright
Trainee French Polisher and Cabinet Maker
Date of Birth: 1992
James has been working with us since September 2007 and is employed
through a work placement training scheme for one year apprenticeship.
You will see him at the factory or on site on a Friday morning where
he will be trained in the skills of woodwork, French polishing and
deliveries. James lives local and is very keen to follow this career.
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.
Zoltan Erdely
Skilled Cabinet Maker and Craftsman/Wood Turner
Date of Birth: 1982
Zoltan is our newest member to join the team and brings over 10 years
of experience. Zoltan specialises in handcrafted designs of making
reproduction antique furniture. Zoltan is skilled on the rare art of
hand veneering and inlaying, door barring and all aspects of the mill
and press. A very experienced member of the team who takes a great
pride in his work and is known as a perfectionist. Zoltan also has
the rare skill of woodturning, and is just another specialised service
Abbey Antiques can provide. With Zoltan's knowledge he is ideal for
producing any kind of decorative wood turning feature on furniture
legs, banisters and designs of your choice.
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.
A more detailed job description of each staff member
is available.
Please contact us: lisa@abbeyantiques.net.