Introducing... Emma Webster
Emma Webster heads up our office furniture division and focuses on specifying and sourcing creative solutions for our clients.
Q&As with Emma
In this Q&A we discover what makes Emma tick and why she loves the office furniture sector…
What is your professional background?
My background is actually in promotional clothing. This involved me leading a team of customer service enthusiasts responsible for processing and managing orders from initial enquiry through to finished products. Central to this were the need to develop and maintain strong client relationships and to keep up-to-date with market trends, both of which have set me in good stead for my role here at The Workspace Consultants. There are several similarities between promotional clothing and office furniture, not least the fact that they’re ever-changing markets with innovation and sustainability at the forefront…
What excites you about office furniture?
The most exciting aspect for me is that it’s a market that never stands still. I love uncovering the new furniture trends that are released as they display the possibilities that furniture brings and showcase each designer’s imagination coming to life through different textures and materials.
What are the most prominent trends currently?
Collaborative spaces are becoming increasingly more dynamic and are incorporating new design features with different pieces of furniture allowing for chill out areas, casual meeting spaces, breakout areas and much more.
Why should you engage a furniture consultant?
Furniture consultants are able to offer customised furniture solutions, along with access to a wide range of suppliers and manufacturers. We are also backed by design support so we can offer space planning and the ability to create a bespoke environment that suits the client’s brand and budget, especially as we can leverage our ability to negotiate on pricing. Furniture consultants can also provide guidance on warranties and repairs, if required.
Can’t you just look online or order a catalogue?
The simple answer to this is ‘no’. Every supplier has their own product range and catalogue, so to amalgamate everything together would be nigh on impossible. It would also take a huge amount of time. That’s why we're here!
What is your favourite manufacturer/brand and why?
Humanscale is one of my favourite brands. They have such a great back story when it comes to giving back to the planet while also being ergonomics specialists, so they tick a lot of boxes for me. That said, there are hundreds of brands out there, which means that the world is your oyster when it comes to office furniture.
And what’s your top office furniture tip?
That’s a difficult one, but I’d say be playful with the use of different colours, textures and fabrics to create different atmospheres, and you won’t go far wrong.
Contact Emma
If you’re looking to refresh your office furniture (particularly if you're in the Cambridge, Manchester or London areas), why not contact Emma for an initial discussion?