Meet The Makers: Simon Burvill

SIMON BURVILL

How long have you been with Gaze Burvill?

I founded the company on 1 February 1993 with Christian Gaze, so now am approaching my 27th year with the company.

What is the best thing about working for Gaze Burvill?

Seeing the pleasure that our customers (many of whom have become great friends) get from our outdoor furniture.

What would you say is the hardest thing about your job?

Thinking up names for new pieces that reflect their appearance and quality.

What is your most memorable moment at Gaze Burvill?

Winning the Best Tradestand in Show at our 25th appearance at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show last year!

What makes you proud to work at Gaze Burvill?

That we’re taking a beautiful and precious wood that has been carefully nurtured for 120-150 years, and can transform it into treasured pieces that delight people for many years, often with an element of surprise – either through comfort, detail or practicality – and building a team of talented individuals to deliver this.

What is your favourite piece of furniture?

I love lots of our standard pieces, but currently my favourite is the Remembrance and Hope Seat as it has such a great story to it and combines so many different elements of what we do from handcrafting to using advanced technology.

What are your inheritance tracks?

From my parents: Mozart’s Horn Concerto played by Dennis Brain – we used to wake up to it almost every Sunday morning!

To my children: Lucky Man by The Verve – It’s a great song to lift you up when you’re feeling down, or make you even happier when you’re already happy.