Cabinet maker secures investment
LANCASHIRE furniture designer Neal Jones has secured an investment of £150,000 from business angels.
Mr Jones, a bespoke cabinet maker who has previously worked as a designer for Viscount Linley, set up Neal Jones Furniture last October in Clitheroe.
Mark Woodward and Neil Ewin have backed the investment through Ewin Woodward Development (EWD) based near Wetherby. The terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Mr Jones said: “Since graduating I’ve spent many years working with the best English cabinet makers and was a designer for Viscount Linley; and whilst my previous business was very successful, I felt I wanted to establish my own name within the market and develop my own portfolio of clients.
“The investment from EWD offers a fantastic opportunity for the business not only in terms of capital but the benefit we’ll gain from their mentoring and guidance in moving the business forward.”
Neil Ewin decided to invest in the business after ordering furniture from Mr Jones.
He said: “Our business is about identifying young, entrepreneurial companies and giving them the time, capital and experience to help them realise their full potential.
“Neal has great enthusiasm for his craft and has gained an enviable reputation amongst his peers within the industry. I was already a great ambassador for him and when he announced he was forming his own business I thought it would be an ideal opportunity to work together, and we look forward to sharing in his future success.”
Mr Ewin and Mark Woodward built up the legal software supplier Visualfiles before selling out to LexisNexis, part of the publishing giant Reed Elsevier, in 2006.
