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Meet the Team
Our people are at the very heart of what sets us apart. Bringing decades of combined expertise to the table, our team of over 3,000 trusted experts help companies make intelligent furnishing decisions. They are committed to building enduring relationships based on integrity, honesty and transparency.
Working closely with our global network of manufacturing, design, logistics and customer service partners, they can help deliver successful workplace strategies. Should our existing portfolio of products not quite fit a project's unique requirements, the team's knowledge is invaluable when co-creating or modifying furnishing solutions.
Senior Management
Jonathan Hindle | President - E.M.E.A | Start date: 1994
Jonathan originally trained as a designer and practiced at leading architectural and design and build companies before moving into sales and marketing in fit-out, property development and office furniture design & manufacture. He founded KI's international subsidiary in the UK in 1994, subsequently developing its operations across the EMEA and South East Asia regions. Jonathan founded the Design Guild Mark in 2007, now the UK's leading recognition for volume production furniture, textiles and finished surfaces. In 2015, he introduced the "Jonathan Hindle Prize" which is annually awarded to a Design Guild Mark holder with the most outstanding design in each of the three categories, Lighting, 2D & Furniture. He also established the corporate membership and fundraising programmes at The Furniture Makers Company, the furnishing industry's charity and livery company, prior to becoming its Master in 2013-14. Jonathan is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers and is also the Chairman of the British Furniture Confederation (BFC), the single voice of the furniture, furnishing and bed industries to the UK government. Outside of work, Jonathan enjoys golf, tennis and gardening.
Jeremy McWhinney | Operations & Finance Director | Start date: 2001
Jeremy is an FCCA Chartered Accountant with over 20 years' experience at KI. As Finance and Operations Director, he has oversight across Sales Support, Supply Chain and Finance throughout our operations in Europe, the Middle East & Africa. Prior to KI, he had senior finance roles in a variety of sectors including restaurants, publishing, and technology start-ups. Outside of work Jeremy retains a keen interest in history and enjoys restoring his 750 year-old house.
Paul Mott | Director of Workplace Furniture & Global Accounts | Start date: 2015
Paul brings years of experience as a business consultant, much of which of has been within corporate workplace furniture. Paul joined KI in 2015 to focus on using his broad base skills to develop route to market strategy partnerships with major accounts, furniture specifiers and dealerships. Paul will continue to be hands on with the company’s global accounts and key specifiers whilst managing and developing the wider dealer sales team. Passionate about delivering differentiation through service, Paul is very confident that KI’s ability to continue to grow can be continued into 2022 and beyond.
Outside of work, Paul continues with some of his voluntary work as a Business Ambassador for Buckinghamshire and chairs the county’s annual business awards judging panel. Paul continues as an avid reader and pupil of leadership psychology and the part it plays in the formation of successful businesses.
Alison Mallett | Director of Education Furniture | Start date: 2010
Alison has been working in the UK furniture market for nearly 40 years. She joined KI in 2010 and has embraced the education market, and her role has developed and grown over the years with KI. She is now driving the education sales team with the UK’s market leading brand Postura+, but with an extra focus on further and higher education with the larger projects. When not working she is more comfortable in a pair of old walking boots in the beautiful countryside where she lives with her two adorable French Bulldogs, Cleo and Caesar. For more excitement she can take to her horse Gino for a good gallop.
Sales & Account Management
Paulina Zbielski | Workplace Furniture Specialist | Start date: 2024
Joanna Laverty | Workplace Furniture Specialist & Operations Manager | Start date: 2018
Joanna started working at KI in 2018 and began on the education sales support team as Team Leader. In September, she took on the role of Operations Manager in the Middle East, liaising with dealers, factories and forwarders. Prior to KI, Joanna has previous experience of customer service roles both in the UK and Austria. She also has previous experience in the Nuclear Material Accounting field thanks to her time in the United Nations. In her spare time, Joanna enjoys learning Japanese, reading, solving crossword puzzles and traveling, with Chiang Mai being her favourite location in the world.
Antony Gatley | Education Furniture Specialist | Start date: 2016
Having gained over 17 years’ experience in the wider furniture industry including Healthcare, Hospitality and Public Realm, Antony joined KI in 2016. As a Regional Sales Manager for Education, Antony is responsible for the development of sales into schools, academies and universities in the North of the UK. When not spending time with his family or travelling, Antony’s main passion is running Ultra Marathon Races, specifically on the fells and mountains. Amongst many other, he recently completed the iconic Highland Fling 53 mile Ultra Race in the Scottish Highlands.
Ashley Grimsey | Education Furniture Specialist | Start date: 2022
Ashley joined KI in 2022, entering the furniture world and bringing with him 15 years of experience in the FMCG sector. In his previous role as European Sales Manager, he managed complex business partnerships with multi-national organisations. His role at KI is the management and growth of our key contract accounts.
Most weekends you will find Ashley, his wife and son in the vicinity of a touch rugby pitch; playing, coaching, refereeing or mentoring school age to regional standard athletes.
Joe Ellis | Education Furniture Specialist | Start date: 2023
Joe Joined KI in February 2022! As an education furniture specialist, Joe is responsible for development of sales into schools, academies, and universities in the south of the UK. He has a wealth of account & sales management experience having worked in the construction industry for over 5 years. Prior to this he managed the fleet sales division for a major car manufacturing company, having started his working career in the customer service/Leisure industry. In his spare time, he likes to play golf, watch Football/Boxing, and loves a good Holiday.
Emma Recchia | International Furniture Specialist | Start date: 2024
Hatem Shelleh | Regional Sales Manager - Middle East, North | Start date: 2012
Based in Amman, Jordan, Hatem covers Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon & Saudi Arabia across the education, workplace and healthcare sectors.
Colin McCourt | Supply Chain Manager - Workplace | Start date: 2013
Colin joined KI in 2012 and has over 20 years’ experience in the contract furnishing industry. As Supply Chain Manager, he manages a team of highly experienced logistics and service specialists whilst also overseeing factory and supply chain performance and relationships. Prior to joining KI, Colin's background was in manufacturing, of which he has over 25 years of experience. His work life started in the seventies as an apprentice in sheet metal working. Colin also had some variety throughout his working career which included restaurateur and hot air ballooning. He continues to enjoy life and the day to day challenges it produces.
Sarah MacDonald Taylor | Operations Manager - Workplace | Start date: 2012
Sarah joined KI in 2012 and is responsible for coordinating the manufacture and delivery of major projects. She liaises frequently with our customers, factories and installation teams to arrange logistics, process orders and ensure their smooth delivery. She has previous customer service experience in roles within hospitality, local government and private financial companies.
Marta Kobus | Furniture Project Manager | Start date: 2014
Marta joined KI in 2014, and works closely with our customers and manufacturers to ensure the smooth delivery of projects. Prior to joining KI, Marta spent a few years doing academic research, including the publication of a couple of papers. Other work experience includes finance and customer services within blue chip companies. In her spare time Marta enjoys playing badminton and dancing. Her interests include alternative therapies such as reiki.
Christina Mackenzie | Senior Account Coordinator – Workplace | Start date: 2014
Christina joined KI in the Summer of 2014 as an Office Junior, and has since grown to join our Sales Support team. Christina’s role involves liaising with clients, arranging shipments, deliveries & installations, producing quotes and processing orders. Prior to joining KI, she worked for a national hotel company's online reservations department. Outside of work, Christina enjoys spending time with her family and socialising with friends.
Sarah Deamer | Furniture Project Manager | Start date: 2019
Sarah started life at KI on the Workplace Sales Support team before transitioning to the Middle East division where she became Operations Manager. In February 2019, she took on the role of Project Manager to coordinate all aspects of major projects from bid submittal to their delivery and installation. Sarah graduated with a degree in Woven Textiles and has experience in both B2B and B2C furniture sales administration. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys socialising with friends, cooking and running in the sunshine.
Sarah Schneider | Account Coordinator – Global Accounts | Start date: 2021
Sarah joined KI in 2021 and works with the Global accounts sales support team. She is passionate about living a fit and healthy lifestyle while expressing her creative side writing in her spare time.
Aaron Navin | Supply Chain Manager - Education | Start date: 2016
Aaron joined KI in 2016 as the logistics planner. In 2022 he assumed his role as Supply Chain Manager Education, where he covers stock management, new product development and assisting the rest of the customer support team with optimising information flow to customers. This includes co-ordinating between warehouses, shippers and clients to ensure everything goes as planned. Prior to working at KI, Aaron has had previous experience in the furniture industry, having been part of the sales and customer service team at a domestic furniture retailer. In his spare time, Aaron can be found indulging his competitive nature, whether it be on the football pitch, tennis court or card table.
Jazmin Morris-Thurgood | Education Sales Support Manager | Start date: 2014
Jazmin joined KI in July 2014 and is responsible for the internal implementation and delivery of major projects from pre-order stage, through placement of order, delivery and installation and day2 service. Her background is very predominantly in art supplies, customer services and logistics. She studied fine art and previously created a curatorial collective. Jazmin spends her free time painting, watching film, going to the gym and savouring a good glass of red.
Simraj Basra | Account Coordinator – Education | Start date: 2022
Simraj joined KI in 2022 as an Account Coordinator for the education department. Outside of work, she likes to keep fit and healthy as well as spending a lot of quality time with family and friends.
Freya McLaughlin | Account Coordinator – Education | Start date: 2022
Freya joined KI in 2022 and works with the Education sales support team. She loves going to concerts, reading, travelling both solo and with friends. Freya is at her happiest when she is with her dog and those closest to her.
Jennifer Hiden | Education Sales Support Manager - Education | Start date: 2019
Jennifer joined KI in 2019. Previously Jennifer had worked within the Pharmaceutical industry for 5 years as an Account Manager for Europe and the MENA regions. Jennifer is currently renovating her 'forever home' and is looking forward to spending a lot of time in France during her weekends, where her parents live.
Karolina Zawila | Account Coordinator – Education | Start date: 2022
Karolina joined KI in December 2021 as an Account Co-ordinator. Karolina comes from Poland and her accent makes her colleagues smile. She is a former athlete with much success and now fulfils a full-time mother to her son Błażej.
Chris Eden | Account Co-ordinator – Education | Start date: 2022
Chris joined KI in September 2022 as an Operations Manager. In the past 20 years, Chris has had various roles in financial services, but mainly as a mortgage adviser having attained full CeMAP qualifications. Out of work, Chris has semi-retired from playing hockey & now spends weekends coaching, during the closed/off season he enjoys DIY & exploring the countryside with his partner & 2 dogs.
Product Design & Development
Lee Andrews | Design Manager | Start date: 2006
Lee has a degree in Product Design and has worked in the contract furnishing industry for over 15 years. He manages KI’s design and space planning team and is responsible for all design, 3D visualisation, technical illustrations, photography, and CAD planning. He also specialises in client specific tailoring and customisation of product. Lee enjoys sports, particularly triathlon, so most weekends he will be swimming, cycling or running or all three!
George Drake-Lee | Product Development Manager | Start date: 2020
George joined KI in 2020. He has a degree in Product Design and has worked in the furniture industry since leaving university. His role includes supporting technical, design and space planning needs within the product design and development team. Outside of work George is a keen car enthusiast and enjoys spending his weekends restoring his classic mini, travelling, surfing and socialising with friends.
Gerry Stone | Technical Designer | Start date: 2023
Gerry joined KI in 2023 as part of the Design team. He has worked in the furniture design industry for over 5 years, with abrief stint in set design. Gerry is a cat lover who in his spare time enjoys cooking, coding and exercising, particularly running and cycling.
Business Support
Thomas Morris-Thurgood | Financial Controller | Start date: 2007
Tom has been working at KI since early 2007 and works within the accounts department as a fellow member of ACCA. His role is to ensure the day-to-day running of the finance function runs smoothly as well as dealing with regulatory and compliance issues and everything in between. Prior to working at KI Tom gained a degree in Mathematics and helped setup a not for profit organisation. When Tom is not working he loves to play golf, socialise with his friends and fancies himself as a bit of a bedroom DJ!
Anna Lowczecka | Management Accountant | Start date: 2011
As Management Accountant at KI, Anna is involved in producing the management reports. She also oversees client invoicing and credit control. Anna is undertaking her ACCA accountancy exams and hopes to complete her qualification soon. In the past, she worked as an office co-ordinator and bookkeeper for a recruitment consultancy firm. In her spare time, apart from studying for exams, Anna enjoys cycling and all forms of dancing.
Krystian Szczerbiak | Finance Assistant | Start date: 2015
Krystian joined KI in November 2015 as a Finance Assistant. He looks after accounts payable, ensuring that all suppliers are paid on time. Shortly after graduating from university, Krystian worked for a media company where he gained his first experience in finance. He is now undertaking ACCA exams to become a chartered accountant. In his free time, Krystian enjoys cycling, horse riding, cinema, catching up with friends, cooking and trying new restaurants.
Elizabeth Barrett | Marketing Manager | Start date: 2023
Lizzie has a wealth of marketing knowledge across a variety of industries including hospitality, tourism, interiors, and manufacturing. Lizzie studied Fine Art at the BRIT school followed by The University of Edinburgh but describes herself as ‘too practical’ to be a solitary artist. This is what led to a career in marketing and the choice to mix creative skills with business and psychology. Her biggest career achievements include rebranding a heritage paint maker (Mylands) and transitioning a hotel group to the luxury sector (The Doyle Collection). Outside of work Lizzie’s ‘unhealthy relationship’ with social media is mostly used as ‘research’ as she continues to carry out brand consultancies, but is balanced with more wholesome activities like reading, painting, cooking, hiking, cycling, tennis, and yoga. All whilst continuing to fail at learning Spanish properly.
Emma Jaglowski | Marketing Manager | Start date: 2024
Patrick Lopes | Marketing Executive | Start date: 2021
Patrick started at KI as Marketing Assistant in December 2021 working closely with the Marketing Manager. In his spare time, Patrick is passionate about football, travelling, cooking and going out to new places with friends.
Helaku Whyles | Creative Marketing Executive | Start date: 2022
Helaku holds a true passion for innovative design and the future of design aesthetics. Specialising in brand design, creative direction, design consultancy and sound design; including a fine art background and several years of research experience as a freelance designer.
Philippa Goodall | Executive Assistant, Showroom & HR Manager | Start date: 2019
Philippa joined KI in 2019 as Executive Assistant to Jonathan Hindle (Managing Director, EMEA). In addition, she is the Showroom and HR Manager for the London office, working closely with the Senior Operations, HR & Showroom Assistant. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her friends and family and loves all aspects of fitness and sport, mainly consisting of CrossFit and will always choose to walk everywhere if she can!
Juliana Akinlade | Showroom Assistant | Start date: 2023
Juliana joined KI in 2023 as a showroom assistant. She previously worked at Soho House, private members club where she gained reputable experience in hospitality and front of house service. She has also created a successful Wellness Brand which she sells on Amazon. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, travelling and socialising with friends and family. She has a passion for Art and Design and is currently studing an online course in UX Research & Design.
Natalie Wood | Showroom Assistant | Start date: 2024
Natalie recently joined KI Europe as a Showroom Assistant, bringing her experience in office coordination and fashion marketing to the showroom. Passionate about design, she thrives in creating welcoming spaces and supporting the team. When she's not working, Natalie loves traveling to new destinations, staying active, and soaking in the latest trends in design and fashion. She's also all about spending quality time with friends, always on the lookout for the next adventure.
Want to join our team?
KI Europe headquarters is based in Central London. Our friendly team are always happy to hear from prospective employees.
Please forward your details and up to date CV to careers@kieurope.com