The Team

Our professional team are an intrinsic part of The Secret Drawer.

Richard

Owner and Furniture Designer
Finding a passion for woodworking at school, and then completing a cabinet making apprenticeship, I realised I had a natural talent for design and started to work for myself.

After over 30 years my passion for wood and design burns as brightly as ever and I consider myself extremely fortunate to work in the environment I do, with the like-minded professionals within my team.

I am especially proud to have been named the UK’s ‘Cabinetmaker of the Year’ twice.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

The Secret Drawer was nearly called The Carpentry Shop until a client learnt about the secret drawer in their dresser and said “why not call the company The Secret Drawer?”

Andrew

Senior Furniture Designer
After graduating from High Wycombe furniture college, I spent the first eight years of my career making furniture and learning practical skills. Since then, I have designed furniture and interiors, working for over 25 years in the industry, across a broad range of manufacturers and companies in the public and private sectors. I’m a strong believer in attention to detail which is paramount to my role at The Secret Drawer. I work on a variety of projects, working collaboratively from initial design brief to final hand over.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I’m passionate about the outdoors and a keen runner.

Rebecca

Designer
In 2010 I graduated in Interior Architecture & Design (BA Hons) from Leeds College of Art & Design and have since worked for several specialist high-end residential organisations, working closely with furniture designers, creating beautiful and cohesive spaces for customers. I love everything about my job and making people happy. From the close relationships I build up with them to seeing their delighted faces when the final scheme is installed.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I was a champion sports acrobat in my youth. I am also a bit of a speed freak – I love jet skiing! However, nowadays I spend most of my free time chasing around my 2 children.

Katie

HR Coordinator and Bookkeeper
After graduating from the University of London in Law 21 years ago, I worked in HR for over 20 years. I am a Fellow of CIPD and have worked for a variety of industries at a senior level including bread, sweets and beds. I trained as a bookkeeper 3 years ago. I love the fact that I wear so many hats at the Secret Drawer – my day might consist of looking after the accounts, doing HR, recruiting for roles and looking after customers. It’s fast paced, and every day is different.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I do a lot of volunteer work for local charities, and I am a leader at Brownies and Rainbows.

When I get the time I enjoy walking, Pilates and socialising with friends.

JOAN

Bookkeeper
I started my career as a high school teacher but changed direction completely and gained my accountancy degree at University of South Africa and completed my Articles at BDO Cape Town. I have worked for a variety of industries and run my own business. I enjoy every aspect of financial management and bookkeeping.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I am a passionate gardening and start and end every day in my garden. I love growing unusual and exotic plants. I have 2 young Staffies who keep me busy now both my daughters have left home.

I love home renovations and have done up a few homes in the past.

Lisa

Design Coordinator

After graduating from Birmingham University in Hotel Catering and Institutional Management I worked for a luxury cruise company for more than 28 years. The illustrious clientele catered for included members of the Royal Family including HM The Queen. A highlight of my career so far was attending the Coronation Festival in the grounds of Buckingham Palace in 2013. I pride myself on providing the highest levels of customer service ensuring a smooth and enjoyable Secret Drawer experience for our customers.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I love baking and in particular speciality cakes for special occasions. My most elaborate creation was a 4-tier wedding cake including handmade sugar roses and flowers.

I also enjoy gardening and I am an avid football fan I am an enthusiastic Newcastle United supporter.

Fiona

Marketing Coordinator

After graduating from UMIST I started my marketing career with a company owned by BP. I have since worked for other multi-nationals, brand leading franchise organisations, as well as family-owned businesses. With over 30 years of marketing experience my avid interest in and love of marketing remains.

My role at The Secret Drawer is to maintain our brand presence and authority across multiple channels and to help our customers have a great experience with us at every stage.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I love dancing and spend most weekends at dances. I also run dance classes teaching Charleston and Lindy Hop.

Darren

Production Manager

Tony

Furniture Finisher & Painter

I’m involved with every piece of furniture created in the workshop, literally providing the finishing touches. We apply Farrow & Ball, Paint & Paper Library and other high-quality paints for our painted furniture and various lacquers and polishes to our timber furniture.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

You will occasionally see me out on site putting a final coat onto furniture once it has been fitted, ensuring our high-quality finish.

John

Senior Cabinet Maker

I've worked for The Secret Drawer for over 20 years as a senior cabinetmaker. I enjoy working on such varied projects from start to finish and helping to train our apprentices.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I love the beauty of hand cut dovetail joints on traditional drawer boxes.

John

Senior Cabinet Maker
I’ve been a cabinetmaker since leaving school in 1988 and hold City and Guilds qualifications in Bench Joinery. I have a specialist interest in woodcarving and hand carve all the details we feature, such as the hand carved apple boxes in our kitchens and pantries.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I love the noise made by a freshly sharpened hand plane as it removes a crisp shaving from the piece of wood.

Jonathan

Senior Cabinet Maker
Jonathan joined The Secret Drawer in 2018 bringing with him over 30 years of experience as a specialist bench joiner in the building and property industry. Now one of our senior cabinetmakers he also helps train our apprentices.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

A keen cyclist and fell runner, Jonathan spends much of his spare time in the great outdoors of Yorkshire and Lancashire.

Dave

Furniture Fitter
I’m a qualified cabinetmaker, carpenter and joiner with over 20 years' experience in the furniture industry. I started with The Secret Drawer as an experienced cabinetmaker and now work on site fitting all our furniture.

Working to a tight schedule I ensure the high levels of quality workmanship achieved in the workshop are maintained in the final product as it arrives in our clients’ homes.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

It takes a long time to become a Secret Drawer fitter; I was a cabinetmaker with The Secret Drawer for six years before becoming a fitter.

Andy

Specialist Painter & Decorator
I have worked as a painter and decorator for over 19 years initially learning the trade from my father. I joined The Secret Drawer over nine years ago to provide our clients with a professional decorating service as part of our full in-house service.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

Completing a job and handing over to a satisfied client is my favourite stage of the job.

John

Builder & Tiler
I’ve been employed by the Secret Drawer for the past ten years and previous to this as a sub-contractor. The changes and business growth I have witnessed over this time has been very impressive.

It's no secret...

It's no secret...

Seeing Richard establish the business with underpinning values for quality and continuous improvement is key to the job satisfaction I get from my work at The Secret Drawer.

James

Cabinet Maker

I joined The Secret Drawer in 2017 as an Apprentice Cabinetmaker, mentored by Darren Lambert, Production Manager. I qualified in 2020 and work as a Cabinetmaker looking after a variety of projects from start to finish.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I’m a keen golfer. When I'm not in the Workshop there's a good chance you'll find me on the golf course.

Benjamin

Apprentice Cabinet Maker
Benj is our Apprentice Cabinetmaker, joining the team in 2021 shortly after leaving school. Based in the Skipton workshop, he is mentored by our team of senior cabinetmakers and is part of the North Lancashire Training Group scheme.

Benjamin is under the watchful eye of senior cabinet makers to ensure he maintains the excellent standards of his more experienced colleagues. He works on projects from start to finish and the end results just takes Benjamin a little longer and we give him this time to ensure that the highest quality is achieved. As with all our projects, Benjamin’s work is signed off for quality by our furniture designer Richard Mason.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

My hobbies include mixed martial arts.

Eddie

Senior Cabinet Maker

I’ve been a cabinetmaker for over 50 years, and I love it now as much as I did when I started half a century ago. I did a 6-year apprenticeship, and the bulk of my career was spent travelling all over the world creating studio and production spaces and outside broadcast stages and sets for TV. I have worked as far afield as the Middle East and New Zealand.

I enjoy my work and I couldn’t pinpoint any one thing I enjoy the most. I love the variety at The Secret Drawer and being able to do projects from start to finish.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I build models in my spare time especially ships from the American Civil War. I have also created a model of the first ever submarine dating to the 1870’s.

Ethan

Senior Cabinet Maker

I first started learning my craft with my dad Eddie when I was 17. I decided I liked it very much and would pursue a career in cabinetmaking. At 21 I graduated with a BA (Hons) in Furniture Making from Leeds College of Art.

I have worked for high end, bespoke furniture manufacturers. I am very pleased to be part of the Secret Drawer team and it is a luxury and a privileged to have a work bench next to my father, as well as having the space and the time to devote to projects that I will take full responsibility for from start to finish.

I enjoy the precision of cabinetmaking, particularly engineering dovetail joints.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I enjoy cycling and climbing but more recently bouldering has taken over as my number one hobby. I go bouldering 3 times a week.

Douglas

Cabinet Maker

I was a police officer for 16 years before I moved north and decided to have a change of career. I studied at Waters and Acland Fine Furniture Workshop & School and then ran my own cabinet making business before joining The Secret Drawer. I enjoy the painstaking process of making fine furniture and getting it right.

Douglas joined The Secret Drawer with a fine eye for detail and a ‘latecomers’ passion for woodworking. He is a welcome addition to the team.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

Before my young family came along, I enjoyed cycling and running. I used to race in a team. My biggest achievement was cycling up all 2645 metres of the Col du Galibier Mountain in the Alps.

Tom

Apprentice

I studied Sports Science for 1 year but decided that a career in sports wasn’t for me. I wanted to learn a trade and be hands on. I always enjoyed woodwork at school, and I am enjoying my apprenticeship learning on the job.

Tom is our newest apprentice and is already working on tasks in the workshop whilst also following the General Furniture Manufacturing qualification.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

I am generally active and particularly enjoy mountain biking. I have won several competitions including The Scottish Downhill Association AE Forest championship.

Roy

Maintenance

I first trained as a mechanic and worked for many years as a national judge for tropical fish. I then worked at Tesco and was lucky enough to retire at 55. I enjoy keeping everything tidy in the workshop. The work is varied and gets me out of the house!

I have a passion for tropical fish, leading me to be a national judge and having 100 fish tanks in my home. I have cut this down to a sensible 4 tanks.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

Roy is an important part of the maintenance and cleaning team, tasked with keeping everything in order.

Steven

Site Assistant

Starting out as an Escalator Engineer, Steven branched out after several years and has worked as a wagon driver, a roofer, and a builder. He loves working at the Secret Drawer with a great bunch of people in the workshop who are always eager to help each other out when needed. He likes the variety of the work and enjoys every aspect of it.

Steven, or Cloggie as he is known as at the Secret Drawer, loves to play snooker and is the local Skipton league. He was a keen footballer when he was younger but gave that up and now prefers snooker and socialising.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

Steven is our Site Assistant helping in all areas of our work.

Paul

On-Site Painter & Decorator

After completing his City and Guilds apprenticeship, Paul was a successful, local self-employed painter and decorator for 30 years. We used Paul for many years as a sub-contractor. We were so impressed with his work that we offered him a full-time role and now works in our customer’s homes, putting the final coat and finishing touches to their furniture.

A lifelong, season ticket holding Leeds United fan, Paul says he has endured the ups and downs of the team’s fortunes over the years and never misses a game.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

Paul is our on-site painter and decorator, ensuring that every job is beautifully finished off in the customer’s home.

Richard

Maintenance

Richard worked as an engineer at Rolls Royce for a staggering 42 years, even being presented with a model of a Trent engine (used in Airbus and Boeing planes) after 40 years’ service. He worked on parts for jumbo jets and Concorde.

Richard’s lifelong passion has been Burnley Football Club. He has supported them since 1968. The highlight was when they reached the Premier League and he is looking forward to their glorious return to the leage this year.



It's no secret...

It's no secret...

Richard works part-time as part of our maintenance, the maintenance and cleaning team, tasked with keeping everything in order.

WORKING TOGETHER

Here we try and give you a flavour of how we work but we always welcome a chat too, either in person or over the phone.