WHO WE ARE
Kaizen is a team of remarkably skilled designers and makers creating the finest luxury interiors, hand-crafted in Britain, for prestigious residences and exceptional yachts around the world. Crafting memorable client experiences is at the heart of our culture. Wherever your imagination leads you, Kaizen will join you on an unforgettable journey to bring your vision to life. Working with Kaizen is an opportunity to realise a dream in partnership with a team of extraordinarily talented and passionate designers and artisans, to craft a genuinely original masterpiece of unrivalled refinement and quality.
Kaizen – defining excellence for over 25 years
MEET THE TEAM
BILL SCHILLING
Founder & Managing Director
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JOHN POLHILL
Production Director
John joined Kaizen in 2010 as a furniture maker when the production team was just five strong. As the company rapidly expanded, he progressed to Workshop Foreman and Workshop Manager, becoming Workshop Director in 2015, where he now oversees a production team of 25. “I’m responsible for all areas of production at Kaizen, for ensuring the smooth manufacture of every piece that we make. I work closely alongside our Design Director, Project Managers and Site Manager to make sure the whole process from instruction of a job to final sign off runs seamlessly” says John. “The best thing about my role is having the opportunity to be involved with the whole process of amazing furniture production, from the early stages of design to seeing the furniture develop and become a reality before our eyes. It has been my passion since I left college to take a drawing and bring it to life, and I love that my role allows me to have personal influence over the journey of every piece. What inspires me daily are the challenges that keep us on our toes, the beautiful materials we get to work with and the ever surprising end results that we achieve.” That Kaizen also recognises the families behind the employee, encouraging them to feel part of the team, John believes helps to keep morale high. “This is something I really value. My role allows me to bring my two passions in life, my family and furniture making, together very nicely.”
JOE GRAY
Design Director
After studying Furniture Design & Craftsmanship at BUCKS New Uni, Joe joined Kaizen in 2014 as an enthusiastic draughtsperson, and took responsibility for transitioning the team from Autocad to our advanced 3D design software, Solid Edge. Joe went on to become Technical Design Manager and is now our Design Director. Joe’s aim has been to optimise the development and presentation of Kaizen’s technical drawings to ensure that they stand apart from any other. “One of my greatest accomplishments at Kaizen is what our drawings have become, with the help of our dedicated Design Team. I feel exceptionally proud” says Joe. “But it’s the opportunity to keep on learning from others that really keeps me driven. I am a firm believer that the best ideas are never created by one person but by a collaborative mind, and Kaizen really fosters this kind of working environment.” Joe also likes to get down on the workshop floor. “I love the smell of the freshly machined cedar as it’s taken from our machine shop to the benches. I’ll often find myself amongst the furniture, seeking that opportunity to examine the characteristics of the materials, how they react to the mix of design and functionality.” Outside of work, Joe loves spending time with his wife and two girls. He is a very sociable person and loves to get stuck into every activity. His Father was involved with motorsports, and many happy years spent at the racetrack fuelled Joe’s interest in cars. And with his Grandfather being an actor, Joe can, on occasion, also be found on the stage!
Working closely with some of the world’s most highly regarded architects and interior designers as well as private clients, we combine traditional artisanship with innovative techniques to design, develop and manufacture joinery and furniture pieces to almost any specification. We create everything from freestanding pieces of furniture to top-to-bottom joinery for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, dressing rooms, studies, cinema rooms, wine stores and more. We prefer to think of ourselves as furniture engineers. No matter how complex the project, we are committed to delivering innovative design solutions that are beautiful and functional in equal measure, flawlessly finished every time.
We are recognised for our quality and approach rather than a particular design aesthetic. This means we can work to any style, from traditional and highly decorative to contemporary or minimalist. The array of finishes we are able to achieve is endless. As we specialise in working with a multitude of materials from timber veneers to glass, metal, stone, fine fabric or exquisite leathers, nothing is beyond the realm of possibility.
From design concept through to installation and aftercare, our clients value our personal approach and the superior level of service our team of experts deliver at every stage. By handling a project from start to finish and down to every final detail, our dedicated project managers ensure that everything comes seamlessly together, on time and on budget. Having our own installation team, as well as our close proximity to central London, means we are able to be flexible and well equipped in response to special requirements or changes to projects on site.
EMPLOYEE OWNERSHIP
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THE TRUSTEES
ANTONIUS WUBBEN
Director
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JOHN POLHILL
Production Director
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JOE GRAY
Design Director
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