Summary
Overview
Work history
Education
Skills
Accomplishments
Timeline
Generic
Gareth Rees

Gareth Rees

Wallingford,Oxfordshire

Summary

A dedicated upholsterer with nearly 30 years of hands-on experience, and a strong focus over the last decade on training and education within the craft. DHaving been deeply engaged with the AMUSF Diploma and the Guild of Traditional Upholsterers Advanced Diploma, as well as upholstery education in the United States, I have developed a reputation as a clear and engaging communicator. I have lectured extensively both online and in person across the UK, Europe, and the US. Passionate about preserving and advancing traditional skills, I have worked tirelessly to promote the craft, raise standards, and support the next generation of upholsterers through high-quality, accessible education.

Overview

30
30
years of professional experience

Work history

Upholsterer and Researcher

Gareth Rees Upholstery
Wallingford, Oxfordshire
2017.02 - Current

Upholstery of select pieces for clients, with focus on design led origin.

Lecturing through online tuition on furniture history and design.

Research on historical process in the trade.

Teaching of practical continual development to semi and professional Upholsterers.

Course Writer and Lead tutor

Upholstery Education
San Diego, California
2017.02 - Current

Writing of Upholstery courses for American Professionals.

Focus on American upholstery processes and tailor tutoring to have direct relevance to the American Market.

Organising other tutors.

Teaching content.

Director and Tutor

The British School of Upholstered Furniture
Henley on Thames, Oxfordshire
2017.06 - 2025.07

Oversees day to day management of the school

Student registration and intake

Timetable planning and how the curriculum is offered

Planning of lessons to target subject weaknesses and build skills within a learning environment.

Teaching of Syllabus

Tutor and Upholsterer

Shoreditch Design rooms
London, London
2016.09 - 2018.07

Teaching the AMUSF Diploma.

Upholstery in the ajoined workshop.

Part time Upholstererer

A Stitch in Twine
Wargrave, Berkshire
2016.10 - 2018.03

Upholsterer in all aspects of domestic work.

Upholstery Tutor

Corinium Upholstery
2016.02 - 2016.07

Part time Upholstery Tutor.

Sole trader

Redcurrant Furniture
Adwell, Oxfordshire
2007.06 - 2016.07

All aspects of Upholstery mainly to the trade. providing service to Interior Designers, Antique dealers, Embassies and Museums.

Making of new furniture from concept to the final piece.

Designing of new furniture.

Restoration.

Actively nurturing trainees and helping find suitable roles when leaving the company.

Sole Trader

South Bucks Furniture Design
High Wycombe , Buckinghamshire
2003.09 - 2007.06

Cabinet making, producing work to in house design and that of customers.

All aspects of Upholstery mainly to the trade. providing service to Interior Designers, Antique dealers and domestic clients.

Making of new furniture from concept to the final piece.

Designing of new furniture.

Furniture restoration.

Part time Upholsterer

Furniture Union
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
2004.03 - 2006.11

Part time Upholsterer

Part time Upholsterer

Teals
High wycombe, Buckinghamshire
2005.01 - 2005.12

Production Upholsterer

Part time Upholsterer

SN Upholstery
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
2004.10 - 2005.08

Domestic Upholstery

Upholsterer

Complete Upholstery
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
1999.11 - 2005.05

Upholsterer. Frame making. Furniture design. Cutter. Sewer.

Trainee Upholsterer

Davidsons
Ledbury, Herefordshire
1998.07 - 1999.11

Trainee Upholsterer. Predominately traditional upholstery and fabric walling.

Part time Trainee bed maker

Thomas beds
Ledbury, Herefordshire
1997.04 - 1999.07

Trainee.

Divan springing, Mattress making.

Deliveries

Trainee Upholsterer

Caton Upholstery
Hereford, Herefordshire
1996.07 - 1998.06

Trainee Upholsterer in all aspects of domestic work.

Trainee Restorer

Hopkins Restoration
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
1995.07 - 1996.11

Trainee Restorer. Cleaning, polishing and basic restoration.

Education

Certificate of Higher Education - Furniture restoration and Craftmanship

Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College
Wycombe
10.2000

A-Levels - Geology, Psychology, Geography

Hereford Sixth Form College
Hereford
08.1994

GCSEs - 7 GCSEs, C and above

Haywood High School
Hereford
08.1992

Skills

Excellent hand-skills

Very strong attention to fine detail, quality and consistency

Dedicated to working to high standards

Extensive knowledge of design history with particular focus on seated furniture

A natural communicator with the ability to adapt his teaching methods to each individual students requirements

Enthusiastic regarding the trade, with a passion to promote it to a wider audience

Accomplishments

Student Rep -Guild of Traditional Upholsterers 2017-2020

Editor- Guild of Traditional Upholsterers 2019-2023

Chairman-Guild of Traditional Upholsterers 2020-2022

Vice Chair-Guild of Traditional Upholsterers 2022-2024

Examination Secretary-Guild of Traditional Upholsterers 2022-Current

Journeyman Secretary-Guild of Traditional Upholsterers 2022-Current

Recipient of the Master Upholders award 2023

Recipient of the Ray Usher Travel Bursary 2023

Freeman - Worshipful Company of Upholders 2024

Director, Training Centre Representative- AMUSF 2024-Current

Member of the Trade and Education Committee- Worshipful Company of Upholders 2024- Current

Freeman - Worshipful Company of Upholders 2024

Timeline

Director and Tutor

The British School of Upholstered Furniture
2017.06 - 2025.07

Upholsterer and Researcher

Gareth Rees Upholstery
2017.02 - Current

Course Writer and Lead tutor

Upholstery Education
2017.02 - Current

Part time Upholstererer

A Stitch in Twine
2016.10 - 2018.03

Tutor and Upholsterer

Shoreditch Design rooms
2016.09 - 2018.07

Upholstery Tutor

Corinium Upholstery
2016.02 - 2016.07

Sole trader

Redcurrant Furniture
2007.06 - 2016.07

Part time Upholsterer

Teals
2005.01 - 2005.12

Part time Upholsterer

SN Upholstery
2004.10 - 2005.08

Part time Upholsterer

Furniture Union
2004.03 - 2006.11

Sole Trader

South Bucks Furniture Design
2003.09 - 2007.06

Upholsterer

Complete Upholstery
1999.11 - 2005.05

Trainee Upholsterer

Davidsons
1998.07 - 1999.11

Part time Trainee bed maker

Thomas beds
1997.04 - 1999.07

Trainee Upholsterer

Caton Upholstery
1996.07 - 1998.06

Trainee Restorer

Hopkins Restoration
1995.07 - 1996.11

Certificate of Higher Education - Furniture restoration and Craftmanship

Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College

A-Levels - Geology, Psychology, Geography

Hereford Sixth Form College

GCSEs - 7 GCSEs, C and above

Haywood High School
Gareth Rees