The Furniture Makers’ Company, the City of London livery company, celebrated the arrival of the 695th Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Michael Mainelli, in style with a float in the official procession of the Lord Mayor’s Show.

The Lord Mayor’s Show took place on Saturday 11 November in the City of London. The show dates back to the early 13th century and is the oldest civic procession in the world.

The Furniture Makers’ Company joined other livery companies, charities, and the armed forces in celebrating the new Lord Mayor in the historical parade of floats which preceded him as he processed by golden carriage to Westminster to swear loyalty to the crown.

In a lorry supplied by corporate member All Truck, the Furniture Makers’ colourful float featured furniture and furnishings from companies including Celtheath, Ercol, KI and Panaz, and was emblazoned with the organisation’s new ‘My Furniture Career’ branding, with messages encouraging viewers to ‘start a career in furniture’.

Walking and dancing alongside the float were the skilled dancers from Creative Industries Oxford College and members of the Furniture Makers, dressed in colourful foam costumes in the shape of chairs, tables and dressers, which raised smiles and cheers from the crowds.

Among the representatives from The Furniture Makers’ Company on the float were Amanda Waring, Master; Tony Attard OBE DL, Immediate Past Master; Brian Ahern, senior warden; and Debbie Johnson, junior warden, as well as other members of the Company.

Over 7,000 people, 250 horses, and 100 floats were estimated to take part in the Lord Mayor’s Show, cheered on by an estimated 250,000 people lining the streets, and millions watching the live BBC One coverage and online streaming.

The Furniture Makers’ Company would like to thank the following companies for sponsoring the float: All Trucks, Affinitas Ltd, Celtheath, Ercol, George Stewart Design, KI, Panaz, Shackletons, Vita Group, along with those individuals who also made donations.

Amanda Waring, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company, said: “We are delighted to have supported this year’s Lord Mayor’s Show, particularly as the new Lord Mayor is an honorary liveryman of The Furniture Makers’ Company. Our float’s theme ‘Careers in furniture’ was designed to showcase the various sectors in our industry while promoting our new careers recruitment website, My Furniture Career, to any budding furniture makers in the crowd.

“It was a fantastic day – the atmosphere was incredible. My thanks to the individuals and companies that worked on the float, without whom it wouldn’t have been possible.”

The Lord Mayor’s Show is available here.