Marc Fish
Founder & Principal
Marc has been awarded four Guild Marks by The Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, and also the Claxton Stevens award in 2011 for the Best Guild Mark issued in 2010. From May 2018 Marc was given a three year appointment as Chairman of the Bespoke Guild Mark committee with the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers.
Marc's understanding of metal fabrication and his attention to detail set him apart from other furniture makers.
Marc covers business topics with students as well as subjects like material science.
Currently selling his pieces to private clients worldwide - you can view his portfolio here: marcfish.com, Marc also has his work exhibited at the top fairs such as PAD and Masterpiece via London-based gallery Sarah Mysercough.
Theo Cook
Senior Tutor
Theo is on the Bespoke Guild Mark panel of judges with the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. He trained at Edward Barnsley Workshop, and took a year out to study at the famous James Krenov school in the USA. After nine years at the Barnsley workshop he moved on to Senior and Carmichael where he stayed for 7 years. He has won two Guild Marks.
Theo enjoys the mechanical side of woodworking and enjoys challenging himself with intricate projects. He does much of the day-to-day teaching at the school and is on hand to help students with their projects. He also teaches some of the short courses.
Theo's Japanese sunrise dovetail has received almost 4 million views on YouTube as of Oct 2022!
View it here: youtube.com/watch?v=Hk4cwtQJmwU.
Chris Funnell
Senior Craftsman
Chris studied here at robinson house studio as one of our first students many years ago, but before enrolling, Chris had been making furniture for nearly 20 years.
Marc is delighted to have him on the team of makers at RHS, where Chris' reputation for accuracy and an uncompromising approach to the craft reliably produce excellence.
Chris has been awarded a Certificate of Merit for one of his student pieces and was the maker on the Guild Mark Award for Marc’s Nautilus.
Mark Anstee
Guest Lecturer
Mark Anstee is an artist specialising in drawing. From observational silverpoint studies to large-scale installation and site-specific drawings, Anstee has been commissioned by major museums and organisations in the UK and Europe. He was the lead artist for the First World War centenary commission at the Imperial War Museum North. His work is held in many private collections in the UK and internationally.
Mark studied Fine Art at Goldsmith's College and drawing at London University’s School of Anatomy. He gained a MAFA at Brighton University. He has practiced as a painter, theatre designer and installation artist for 25 years. Mark also teaches drawing on the Fine Art and design programs at the University of Brighton & Kingston University.
Charlie Whinney
Guest Lecturer
Charlie Whinney is one of the UK's leading experts in steam bending. He has studied architecture, furniture design, and 3D design, and now runs a creative studio that creates works for hotels, restaurants, and private clients.
Charlie has been commissioned to make pieces all over the world, including a window display for Harvey Nichols and sculptures for the Eden Project.
His most recent project has been making a sculpture to celebrate the Lake District being made a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Derek Jones
Guest Lecturer
Derek Jones was the editor of UK’s premier woodworking magazine, Furniture & Cabinetmaking Magazine from 2008 to 2021, and is the author of multiple books on woodworking techniques.
Derek has many years experience making and teaching. He runs a range of project-based courses here at robinson house studio, making items including a Japanese style toolbox and a 6 board chest. He also often runs a course on French polishing.
Jo Howlett, Administrator
Jo comes from a creative background which helps her to handle the many varied tasks involved in the day-to-day running of the school. From booking in courses to helping students with queries.
Email Jo here.
Vanessa Eley, Web Master
Vanessa is a web designer/developer with over 20 years experience in the industry. She looks after this large busy website making sure users get the info they need quickly and easily.
Brenda Fish, Finance
Brenda has many years experience in finance and looks after robinson house studio’s accounts and administration.
