Getting to know... Alex Bridgman

In the latest instalment of Bdaily’s Getting to know... feature, which looks at the person behind the business profile, Alex Bridgman, chief executive of home and garden furniture firm Bridgman, which has bases in Enfield, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Walton-on-Thames, Cheltenham and Wilmslow, talks about the dynamics of running a family business, the joy of transforming a concept into a tangible product for customers' homes and finding a good work/life balance...

We know you as the chief executive of Bridgman, but who is the person behind the title? Tell us a little about what makes you tick…

I’d describe myself as driven, but very much grounded in the history of the business.

Being part of a third generation family company, there’s a real sense of responsibility, not only to grow Bridgman, but to protect what it stands for.

A lot of what motivates me comes from seeing how people live and how our furniture fits into that.

It’s not just about the product itself, but the role it plays in people’s homes and everyday lives.

Outside work, I keep things fairly simple.

Spending time with family is important to me, as well as getting outdoors when I can.

I’m also a football fan, which is always a good way to switch off from the day-to-day pace of the business.

Did you always want to work in this sector?

Not necessarily.

Growing up, the business was always in the background, but I didn’t set out from day one intending to work in the industry.

That said, my experiences naturally led me here.

My degree in international business gave me a strong foundation, and when I joined Bridgman, I started in sales, which was invaluable in understanding both the product and the customer.

From there, I worked my way through the business, gaining a broader perspective across different areas.

Being part of a family business also shaped that journey.

With my father still closely involved in operations and finance, and my brother leading the marketing side, it’s very much a collaborative environment.

Like any family business, there are challenges, particularly in separating work and personal life, but it also brings a level of alignment and understanding that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.

What’s the best bit about your job? And the worst?

The best part is seeing ideas come to life from start to finish.

That process of taking something from an initial concept through design, into production and then seeing it in customers’ homes is incredibly rewarding.

What really stands out is when customers start buying products, enjoying them and sharing positive feedback.

The most challenging part is the responsibility that comes with running a long-established business.

You’re constantly thinking about the future and making decisions that impact both the team and the brand, and that doesn’t really switch off.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Stepping into the role of leading the business as the third generation is something I’m very proud of.

It reflects not just a personal milestone, but the strength and longevity of the brand itself.

At the same time, I don’t see it as a single achievement.

It’s more about continuing to build on what’s already been created and ensuring the business evolves in the right way for the future.

How do you relax outside of work?

I enjoy outdoor spaces and being able to switch from looking at everything through a commercial lens.

Like most people, it’s about finding moments to step away from the pace of work and reset.

What makes the North West such a great place to live and work?

The North West has a strong sense of community, which really resonates with us as a family business.

There’s a balance between tradition and modern growth, and a grounded, approachable way of doing business that aligns closely with our values.

The region supports both lifestyle and ambition, and there’s a real authenticity to how people live and work here, which is something we value both as a business and as a family.

Tell us something about you we didn’t know…

I follow Arsenal FC, which comes with its fair share of highs and lows.

There’s also a slight parallel in how the club is structured, with father and son Stan and Josh Kroenke both serving as co-chairs.

It’s not too dissimilar to the family dynamic we have at Bridgman.

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