Founders

Tony Portus:

Tony is a graduate in furniture design and making from the renowned ParnhamCollege and co-founder in 1989 of the Cato Workshop.

Ross Fenn:

Ross, with co-founder Nigel Bates, established Artifex, the West Midlands leading gallery, where for over 20 year they have been exhibiting and selling the very best British handmade furniture.

'Whilst on a visit to Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery in the 1970s, I saw a table on display made by Fred Baier.  It was called 'Star Wars'  and it left a lasting impression on me and an enduring passion for the beauty of handmade furniture'. From commissioning pieces for myself to selling the work of great Makers,  I have been involved ever since'.