The Chippendale International School of Furniture has been named winner of the Best Business category in East Lothian at the 2014 Best of the Best Business Awards.
The Chippendale International School is acknowledged as being one of the finest furniture design and restoration schools internationally and is this year celebrating its 30th birthday.
At the end of last year, the School also won a Best Business Award in the small to medium-size category – an award that recognised how the School has enhanced the reputation of the UK as a centre of excellence in woodwork and craftsmanship.
The Best of the Best Business Awards pride themselves on having a large panel of independent expert judges who select winners according to strict criteria for each category.
Commenting on the award, the Chairman of the judges said: “Attracting students from all over the world, the Chippendale International School of Furniture has built up a strong international reputation for design excellence. It is highly commendable that the school is solely funded by student fees and reinvests profit back into school facilities.
“It also makes a major contribution of some £1 million a year to the local economy. Described by an arts commentator as an ‘inspirational and wonderful institution’, the school teaches students about old and new woodcraft techniques and has helped many people enjoy a career in furniture design, making and restoration.”
Anselm Fraser, principal of the School, said: “We are delighted to have won this prestigious award, which again underlines our status as an internationally-recognised furniture school, and our importance to the local economy.
“After graduation in June, our international students will return home and help spread the word about East Lothian as a place to learn as well as being a beautiful place to visit or do business.”
The Best of the Best Business Awards honour the outstanding achievements of dynamic local businesses and entrepreneurs across the United Kingdom. The winners all have one thing in common – they are truly excellent at what they do and the Chippendale international School of Furniture has proved this by winning a Best of the Best Business Award.