The Bob Fowlds Grant

The Bob Fowlds Grant isn't just about financial support,
it's about building successful businesses which will contribute to the future of our crafts

Introduction 

The Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers (AMUSF) is proud to offer the Bob Fowlds Grant, an initiative designed to support emerging talent in upholstery and soft furnishing industries. Each year, we award two grants, each up to the value of £1,000 to help AMUSF members establish and grow a successful upholstery or soft furnishing business. This support package includes both financial assistance and professional mentorship. 

Eligibility 

Applicants should be over the age of 18 and normally resident in the UK. To be considered for the Bob Fowlds Grant, applicants must: 

• Be fully paid-up members of the AMUSF 
• Either be AMUSF Graduate members OR have three years of professional experience 
• Be planning to start a new upholstery or soft furnishing business 
• Be committed to participating in the mentorship programme 

Concept 

The primary purpose of the Bob Fowlds Grant is to support new business ventures and help them become successful enterprises. Each grant recipient will receive: 

• Financial support of up to £1,000 to assist with business startup costs 
• One year of dedicated mentorship from an experienced industry professional 
• Ongoing support from the AMUSF community 

Grant Application 

Applications open each year, usually in March, but the date will be shared via our newsletter, social media and on our website. If you wish to be contacted when applications open, pre-register here and we'll be in touch at that time.

In order to complete your application you'll need the following information:

Your Business Vision: 

• Description of your planned business 
• Specific details of how you will use the grant 
• Timeline for business launch 
• Strategy for long-term sustainability 

Supporting Information: 

• Photos of two recent pieces of work 
• Brief description of your upholstery experience 
• AMUSF membership number 
• Current qualification level/years of experience 
• A written reference

Recipient Commitments 

By submitting your application you agree, should you be successful, to:

• Meet regularly with their assigned mentor (timeline agreed between mentor/mentee) 
• Provide quarterly progress updates on their business development 
• Share their journey with the AMUSF community through occasional features in our newsletters and social media 
• Submit a final report after 12 months covering: 
  • How the grant money was used 
  • Business milestones achieved 
  • Challenges overcome 
  • Future plans 
  • Impact of the mentorship programme 

These updates and stories will not only help us track the success of the fund but will also inspire and inform other AMUSF members considering starting their own businesses. We believe sharing these experiences aligns perfectly with Bob Fowlds' legacy of supporting craft excellence and business sustainability in our industry. 

2026 Applications are now closed. Next year's applications will open in late Spring 2027

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About Bob Fowlds 

Bob Fowlds was a well-known figure in British upholstery who carried forward a remarkable 150-year family business legacy. Beginning his apprenticeship in 1964, he went on to lead a firm that adapted and thrived through changing times, specialising in high-quality restoration and recovering of domestic upholstery. 

Under his leadership, the firm undertook prestigious commissions for numerous notable clients, including the Houses of Parliament, the Royal College of Surgeons, Selfridges, and Liberty's. The business also became known for its work in television and media, providing furniture for iconic BBC programmes such as The One Show and other major broadcasts including ITV's Daybreak and Good Morning Britain. 

Bob Fowlds ran the business until early 2020, maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship throughout his career. In 2021, the Fowlds family made a generous donation to honor Bob's legacy and the family firm's 150-year history. This donation has made the Bob Fowlds Grant possible, enabling us to support the next generation of upholstery professionals through training bursaries. 

The late Bob Fowlds

The Bob Fowlds Memorial Loan Fund is made in memory of Bob Fowlds, the last in a family of four generations of furniture makers and upholsterers who worked in south London from 1870 until Bob's death in 2020.  The family firm of A.V. Fowlds & Sons was based in a factory and workshop in Camberwell between 1926 and 2022.   The Fund were established by Bob's sister Barbara, on behalf of the company, to remember and continue his commitment to assist those seeking a career in the trade he loved, who might find it difficult to finance their training.