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
02.2017 - 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
02.2017 - 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
06.2017 - 07.2025

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
09.2016 - 07.2018

Teaching the AMUSF Diploma.

Upholstery in the ajoined workshop.

Part time Upholstererer

A Stitch in Twine
Wargrave, Berkshire
10.2016 - 03.2018

Upholsterer in all aspects of domestic work.

Upholstery Tutor

Corinium Upholstery
02.2016 - 07.2016

Part time Upholstery Tutor.

Sole trader

Redcurrant Furniture
Adwell, Oxfordshire
06.2007 - 07.2016

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
09.2003 - 06.2007

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
03.2004 - 11.2006

Part time Upholsterer

Part time Upholsterer

Teals
High wycombe, Buckinghamshire
01.2005 - 12.2005

Production Upholsterer

Part time Upholsterer

SN Upholstery
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
10.2004 - 08.2005

Domestic Upholstery

Upholsterer

Complete Upholstery
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire
11.1999 - 05.2005

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


Trainee Upholsterer

Davidsons
Ledbury, Herefordshire
07.1998 - 11.1999

Trainee Upholsterer. Predominately traditional upholstery and fabric walling.


Part time Trainee bed maker

Thomas beds
Ledbury, Herefordshire
04.1997 - 07.1999

Trainee.

Divan springing, Mattress making.

Deliveries

Trainee Upholsterer

Caton Upholstery
Hereford, Herefordshire
07.1996 - 06.1998

Trainee Upholsterer in all aspects of domestic work.


Trainee Restorer

Hopkins Restoration
Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
07.1995 - 11.1996

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
06.2017 - 07.2025

Upholsterer and Researcher

Gareth Rees Upholstery
02.2017 - Current

Course Writer and Lead tutor

Upholstery Education
02.2017 - Current

Part time Upholstererer

A Stitch in Twine
10.2016 - 03.2018

Tutor and Upholsterer

Shoreditch Design rooms
09.2016 - 07.2018

Upholstery Tutor

Corinium Upholstery
02.2016 - 07.2016

Sole trader

Redcurrant Furniture
06.2007 - 07.2016

Part time Upholsterer

Teals
01.2005 - 12.2005

Part time Upholsterer

SN Upholstery
10.2004 - 08.2005

Part time Upholsterer

Furniture Union
03.2004 - 11.2006

Sole Trader

South Bucks Furniture Design
09.2003 - 06.2007

Upholsterer

Complete Upholstery
11.1999 - 05.2005

Trainee Upholsterer

Davidsons
07.1998 - 11.1999

Part time Trainee bed maker

Thomas beds
04.1997 - 07.1999

Trainee Upholsterer

Caton Upholstery
07.1996 - 06.1998

Trainee Restorer

Hopkins Restoration
07.1995 - 11.1996

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