Forty years ago, Anselm Fraser had a vision – not just to teach woodworking, but to create a place where furniture makers and woodworkers could leave with the confidence to run their own fine furniture businesses. Now, as we celebrate the Chippendale 40th anniversary, it’s incredible to reflect on how what started with just one student and one apprentice has grown into the Chippendale International School of Furniture, a leading Scottish woodworking school.
From its beginnings as a modest school in Haddington, to now training students from over 50 countries and shaping the next generation of fine furniture makers. Let’s take a look back at the last four decades of the Chippendale journey.
From Garage to Global Recognition
The story of Chippendale begins with Anselm Fraser, our charismatic founder and first principal. Originally an egg trader, Anselm eventually discovered his true calling in furniture restoration and enrolled in a school to master the craft. After honing his skills, Anselm went on to establish his own school in East Lothian, naming it the Anselm Fraser School of Antique Furniture Restoration, which later became the Chippendale International School of Furniture.
As interest in woodworking grew, so did the school. A strategic move to our current location in the scenic countryside of Gifford, East Lothian, provided students with access to premium Scottish timber and the warm embrace of a close-knit local community. Here, Anselm literally grew the school, adding new workshops and expanding the facilities as demand increased.
Today, Chippendale’s reputation stretches far beyond our picturesque campus. Students from across the globe are drawn to the promise of expert training, creative freedom, and a supportive environment that helps them turn their passion into a thriving profession.
A Curriculum That Crafts Careers
With the growth of the school came new opportunities. Our curriculum evolved to introduce courses like the flagship 30-week Professional Course, an intensive, hands-on program that condenses years of learning into less than a year, giving students a deep dive into the art of fine furniture making.
Our Professional Course serves as a launchpad, offering 1,400 hours of practical experience covering a wide range of woodworking techniques – from traditional dovetail joints to modern CNC technology.
For those keen to explore woodworking but unsure where to start, we offer shorter, intensive courses – including our 10-week, 4-week, and 1-week courses, as well as weekend courses – to suit different skill levels and schedules. And just as when we started, we still offer our restoration course.
A Team Passionate About Teaching
At the heart of Chippendale’s success is our incredible team of tutors, each bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the workshop. Some have been with us since the very beginning — like Alan McGovern, who joined in 1985 as a 15-year-old apprentice and has been part of the Chippendale family ever since. Graham Davies followed not long after in 1990, with Clare Charleston joining a decade later. Together, they share over a century of woodworking experience — a true testament to their dedication and craftsmanship.
We’re also proud to have tutors who are accomplished furniture designers in their own right. Matty Brebner has been with us for over 10 years, while Ben Dawson is renowned for his work on furniture for the Scottish Parliament. Then there’s Len Koch, a highly skilled cabinet maker with an incredible eye for detail, who also teaches on our Professional course.
Our tutors often bring their own specialisms to the table. Andrew Cockerill, for example, leads the way as our head of tech, ensuring our students master both traditional techniques and modern innovations. Fiona Gilfillan came on board as a tutor working across all of our short courses after she completed the Professional course herself back in 2019. A skilled furniture maker and woodturner, Fiona brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the short course workshops.
We’re always excited to welcome new talent to the team. Our newest recruit, James Bullen, brings a wealth of experience from running his own furniture-making business, specialising in bespoke furniture, restoration, and boat interiors.
Alumni Success: Where Are They Now
Over the decades, our graduates have gone on to achieve incredible success.
Jean-Philippe Clark, Student of the Year from our 2023/24 class, journeyed from Arizona to East Lothian and is now running a thriving furniture business back home, drawing inspiration from both Scottish and American landscapes.
Helena Robson, another recent graduate, knew she was ready to start her furniture-making career and launch her own business. When researching her options, Helena found that Chippendale was the “perfect fit,” offering the right balance of craftsmanship and business guidance.
Looking ahead, our current 2024/25 class is already showcasing remarkable talent and creativity as they prepare for the upcoming annual Graduate Exhibition — a highly anticipated event that marks the beginning of many promising careers in fine furniture making and design.
It’s a moment of pride — not just for the students, but for the entire Chippendale family.
Our graduate exhibition is coming up this year on 12–14 June — be sure to keep an eye out for our Class of ’25’s final pieces!
A New Era
In 2019, the baton was passed to Tom Fraser, Anselm’s son, who grew up surrounded by sawdust and chisels. Tom’s vision for Chippendale strikes the perfect balance – honouring traditional craftsmanship while embracing modern design innovations.
Under his leadership, we’ve rebranded to reflect the school’s evolution, all while respecting its rich heritage. In the coming years, Tom has plans to expand the school’s short course offering, having successfully launched the 10-week course in 2024.
We’ve already seen great promise in the next generation of woodworkers and fine furniture makers. Whether you’re considering a career change or looking to refine your skills in something you’re passionate about, there’s a place for you at Chippendale.
Here’s to the next forty years — and as Anselm would say, “Just get on with it!”
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Explore our Professional Course, try one of our short courses, or just get in touch to learn for yourself why Chippendale is more than just a woodworking school!
