Jonathan Kiff
Having spent 25 years in the advertising business with Saatchi & Saatchi, DMB&B and Lowe Lintas as MD of agencies in London, the Middle East and Asia, he returned to the UK and in 2003 embarked on training for a new career as a contemporary furniture designer and maker. It was while in the process of planning his own workshop some 18 months later, that he first had the vision for the 360° Trust.
A passionate believer in corporate social responsibility "because it makes good business sense", he saw the opportunity to develop these principles into a new business model that not only would meet the practical business needs of craftsmen and women-by providing them with affordable workshop facilities in a vibrant and mutually supportive-creative community, but one that would also benefit the wider community through the creation of new opportunities for skilled employment and training.
Jonathan has spent the last 2½ years making the 360° Trust a reality and as a result has not been designing or making much furniture - rather ironic as that was the newfound passion that set the ball rolling in the first place, but he has become a skilled joiner by designing and making all the windows and doors in the renovation of the Old Sawmills.
With phase one of the 360° almost complete, he is looking forward to spending more time at his drawing board and workbench with commissions once again being accepted.
Jonathan's award winning work has been exhibited at a Celebration of Craftsmanship & Design and is featured in the new book by Betty Norbury, Bespoke. You can see some examples by clicking in the gallery below.
For enquiries contact him on 01598 760658 or 07740 701600, email jon@jonathankiff.com