Member Article

Richard Grafton Interiors moves finance operation in-house with appointment of financial controller

Elizabeth Stenson of Harrogate is the latest recruit to join the 23-strong team of fast-growing Yorkshire interiors, architecture and design business Richard Grafton Interiors, which has showrooms in Harrogate, Ilkley and Wetherby.

Based at the business’ Harrogate head office in The Ginnel, Liz, takes on the role of financial controller. An ACCA qualified management accountant, she has held finance manager positions in retail, housing and medical companies.

In her new role, Liz will work alongside accounts assistants Lynne Clement and Michelle Wilson, bringing Richard Grafton Interiors’ entire finance function in-house. In addition to providing day-to-day invoice management and purchasing for all interiors and architectural projects, the team will now be able to provide management accounts and in-depth financial job analysis.

Liz comments: “Having worked for some larger corporates, I’m excited to be moving back into a smaller, family business where I feel I can play a real part in its continued growth. By moving the finance function in-house, the team will benefit from more frequent management accounts, a better flow of financial information and more thorough job analysis to help identify what is and isn’t working.”

Director Charlotte Grafton added: “It’s great news that we’ve found someone with Liz’ expertise, enabling us to bring our entire financial operation into the business. As Richard Grafton Interiors continues to expand, it is more important than ever that we have access to prompt and insightful financial data to help inform our decision-making and identify future growth opportunities.

“Last year, we remained very busy and already in January we have seen a strong flow of new enquiries from customers local to our three showrooms and also from further afield. With the ‘work from home’ advice still in place, there is continuing demand for interiors and architectural projects of all sizes, from single rooms to entire houses. Given our strong network of long-established, loyal suppliers and trades people, we have been fortunate to navigate our way through some of the recent supply and labour issues, continuing to deliver projects for clients on schedule.”

Headquartered at the Richard Grafton Interiors showroom in The Ginnel, Harrogate, the business has evolved from providing fabrics and soft furnishings to offering a complete service with its team of designers, spatial planners and installers providing full architectural design and project management. Since launching in March 2012, the business has grown from seven staff to a 23-strong team, including 11 designers working across its interior design and architectural divisions.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Emma Kilmurray .