Furniture Village Appoints Ian Oliver As Non-Executive Director

Furniture Village is delighted to announce the appointment of Ian Oliver to its Board as a Non-Executive Director. Ian brings with him an outstanding track record in retail, marketing, brand development, and manufacturing, along with a wealth of leadership experience from some of the UK’s most recognisable names in the industry.

A close friend of the business, Ian is widely respected for his business acumen and his ability to drive growth while building strong, values-led teams. His appointment further strengthens our Board’s depth of expertise as we continue to deliver on our ambitious growth plans.

Ian Oliver joined Marks & Spencer in 1987 where he spent 16 years in senior buying roles across menswear and home. As head of the furniture and soft furnishings division, he grew sales to over £100m within five years, also establishing M&S’s first in-house marketing department and helping launch the Per Una brand.

In 2003, he became Director of Branded Furniture at Christie Tyler, overseeing leading names such as Duresta, Derwent, G Plan, Corinth, and Parker Knoll. Following the creation of Sofa Brands International in 2005, he served as CEO of G Plan, SBI Lithuania, and Parker Knoll before being appointed Group CEO in 2016, successfully guiding the business through Brexit, Covid, and the cost-of-living crisis.

Commenting on his new role, Ian said: “I’m honoured to be joining the Furniture Village Board and am looking forward to contributing my experience across retail, marketing, buying, brand development, and manufacturing."

"Furniture Village is a strong and forward-thinking business, but what excites me most is the culture — the focus on improvement, and the genuine care for its people.”

Peter Harrison, Chairman, added: “Ian is a long-time friend of Furniture Village, and his experience, insight, and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow. He brings a unique combination of retail and manufacturing expertise, and we’re delighted to welcome him to the Board.”