Kitchen designer Fiona Woodall from Colliers Kitchens in Worthing is the first young designer to be featured in the new Simon Acres Group (SAGL) Movers & Shakers series. 

Director Simon Acres said: “Fiona represents a new generation of designers to have benefited from the Foundation Degree in Kitchen Design from Bucks New University, making her an ideal candidate to launch our series.

“We were able to meet in person for this film, between lockdowns, in a COVID-19 secure environment. I am delighted to be able to communicate with the industry again in this way and share the smart tips and advice that young people like Fiona have to offer.”

Fiona talked about how the university experience brought her much more than academic knowledge and skills. She said: “I gained so much from my time at Bucks New University. I am still in regular contact with my fellow students, we have created a supportive network where we can share knowledge and experiences as we build our careers.”

Fiona also talked about her experience of working during the COVID-19 pandemic. “As part of a team at an established family business we have focussed on building trust with our customers. Assuring them that we have safety at the top of our agenda while showing them that we can still do business and provide outstanding service.

“We manage our customer expectations from the outset to avoid unnecessary disappointments and have been working closely with our suppliers, asking them to keep in contact and to pick up the phone, even if it’s bad news.”

You can watch episode 1 here.