Designers

	Shin Azumi Shin is a well-known product, space and three-dimensional designer. He was formerly part of the Azumi design partnership and now heads a studio where his clients include leading European and Japanese brands.		Steuart Padwick Since training as a designer and cabinetmaker, Steuart has made furniture and other products for one off commissions as well as mass production. He is the founder of Designbar.com an information and advisory website for the design industry.
	Tomoko Azumi The other half of the former design duo, Azumi, Tomoko is the founder of t.n.a Design Studio specialising in furniture, product and space design. She is also a tutor at the Royal College of Art and a research fellow at the London Metropolitan University.		Partridge & Walmsley Jim Partridge and Liz Walmsley have collaborated on a variety of projects outdoors and in public spaces. Their work is in several collections including the V&A in London and Manchester Art Gallery.
	Terence Conran Terence Conran is one of the world’s best known designers, restaurateurs and retailers. He is Chairman of Conran Holdings, the parent company of The Conran Shop and his design and architecture practice Conran & Partners.		Russell Pinch Russell trained as a furniture and product designer. He is the founder of PINCH, a furniture, product and interior design company set up in 2004. He previously worked for the Conran group where he launched a homeware collection and co-founded The Nest, a multi-disciplinary brand design agency.
	Thomas Heatherwick Thomas Heatherwick is recognised for his work in architecture, sculpture, product design and exhibition design. Recent projects include B of the Bang, the UK’s tallest sculpture, the Rolling Bridge at Paddington Basin and the East Beach Café in Littlehampton.		Sean Sutcliffe Sean trained as a designer and furniture maker before joining Terence Conran in 1984 and starting the small studio workshop from which Benchmark has grown. Over twenty years, he has built up a respected team of craftsmen as well as one of Britain’s most technologically advanced furniture workshops.
	Kay + Stemmer The designs of Sarah Kay and Andrea Stemmer evoke an understated luxury and simple, feminine elegance. Both trained cabinet makers, they have undertaken commissions for a number of retailers and designed furniture for a leading luxury hotel.		After Hours The young and creative in-house design team, who as well as designing much of our contract work have designed pieces for Benchmark’s domestic furniture range. This has provided an opportunity to nurture talented new designers and undergraduate furniture designers on placement with us.