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 info@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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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