Cherrill Scheer FCSD FRSA FInstSMM, one of the founders and biggest supporters of the Design Guild Mark, has received a special commendation from The Furniture Makers’ Company for her exceptional services to the UK furnishing industry.
Cherrill has been a mainstay on the Design Guild Mark committee since its formation in 2008. Having worked closely with Jonathan Hindle in establishing the award, she has been its constant giving hundreds if not thousands of hours of time to the Design Guild Mark.
Always immaculately turned out in a bright, stylish ensemble, she has been a lynchpin, supporting the chairman, liaising with the judges, and working with the winners to amass extensive press coverage to further bolster the prize’s reputation nationally and internationally.
Her passion and dedication to the Mark shows no sign of waning, even after 14 years. The same inexhaustible vim and vigor towards the furtherment of the scheme is on display for all to see at every meeting, judging day and awards ceremony.
In recognition of her work on the Design Guild Mark and other initiatives, Cherrill was awarded the Stanley Wharton Award on Tuesday 27 July 2021 at Furniture Maker’ Hall, London. The recipient of the prize is specially chosen by the Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company.
Cherrill said: “I feel overwhelmed to see my peers recognise my contribution to The Furniture Makers’ Company. My drive has always been to encourage good design, design education and innovation within the furniture and furnishings industry.
“I was born into a family of furniture manufacturers who received many awards for design and their great contribution to the industry. Since joining the Hille Group, much of my professional life has been spent encouraging young designers and promoting the furniture industry and design education. I am delighted to have been able to pursue these aims with the success of the Design Guild Mark and the production of the book, with the V&A, on ‘Modern British Furniture since 1945’.”
Dids Macdonald OBE, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company 2019-2020, who selected Cherrill to receive the award, said: “Cherrill is quite remarkable and richly deserves the Stanley Wharton Award in recognition of her extraordinary career. Her tireless support of the Design Guild Mark has helped it to become recognised as one of the very highest standards in the design of furnishings for volume production today.”
