Our Story
We are a company with a deep-rooted belief in the value of craft and craftsmanship.
After graduating from Parnham College for furniture makers, Sean Sutcliffe had a dream of launching his own furniture workshop, and was inspired by his travels around Denmark to bring industry and employment to a rural community.
It was at this time that he met Terence Conran and a firm friendship was made over a shared interest in making, wood, design and sustainability. They founded Benchmark together and our workshop and showroom are situated in the grounds of Terence’s country home.
We began with just three people; today we are a highly skilled team of 70, with workshops in Berkshire and Dorset.
Our craftsmen care deeply about the entire making process. We believe that this care and attention brings an energy and integrity to the final piece that could never be replicated by mass manufacture.
Over the years we have continually invested in our facilities and new technology. We have workshops for milling, cabinet making, veneering, finishing, metal working and upholstery as well as 5-axis CNC machining. This allows us to control the whole process from selection of the best raw materials through to final installation.
We have always been a design led business. Whether designing for a bespoke commercial project or for our furniture collection, each piece we create is thoughtfully designed for functionality and lasting beauty.
Everything we make is designed and built to last, with the next 100 years in mind.
We are proud of our commissions for great institutions such as Westminster Abbey, Oxbridge colleges and many museums and public buildings around the world, which have a requirement for sensitive design, exquisite craftsmanship and longevity.
We have a mission to create furniture that contributes to human health and well-being, using natural, sustainable and non-toxic materials.
Sustainability plays a part in every decision we make, whether it be about resource management, the products we create and the way we make them, to the way we manage our workshops.
