What We Learned from Sylva & Rycotewood: Partnerships That Shape the Future of Furniture

Industry Partnerships in Practice: Lessons from Sylva Foundation & Rycotewood College

Modern furniture design is important because it offers a blend of functionality, aesthetics, and practicality that can enhance living spaces and reflect contemporary lifestyles.

At Wycombe Furniture Forum (WFF), one of our core goals is to bridge the gap between education and industry — ensuring that the next generation of furniture makers, designers, and craftspeople are equipped with the skills, confidence and community they need to thrive.

Two shining examples of this kind of partnership already exist on our doorstep: Sylva Foundation Wood School and Rycotewood College.

The Sylva Foundation: A Model for Mentorship and Making

Based in South Oxfordshire, the Sylva Foundation is more than just a woodworking school. It’s a community of practice — a place where young designer-makers can incubate their creative businesses and learn what it truly means to be part of the modern furniture and craft industry.

WFF was invited to tour Sylva’s facility, and what stood out most was the incubator programme — offering affordable workshop space, business support, and shared resources to emerging creatives. This setup gives graduates and early-career makers a bridge between education and self-employment, helping them turn passion into sustainable practice.

It’s a model that addresses one of the biggest hurdles for new makers: the isolation and cost of setting up alone. At Sylva, they find not just tools and timber, but mentorship, connection, and community.

Rycotewood College: Crafting Skills, Showcasing Talent

Meanwhile, Rycotewood College in Oxford continues to lead the way in high-quality furniture education. With a strong heritage in craft and contemporary design, the college nurtures technical skill, material understanding, and design thinking — all essential in today's evolving furniture landscape.

WFF recently attended the Rycotewood Summer Show, where final-year students presented an impressive range of handcrafted work.

The show wasn't just an exhibition — it was an open door to dialogue between students, tutors, and industry professionals.

Events like this build important industry-education relationships, which are key to helping learners make the leap from coursework to commissions. Rycotewood also partners with many of the region’s manufacturers, offering placements, real-world briefs, and ongoing collaboration.

What WFF Is Taking Forward

These two organisations offer different approaches but share a common ethos: investing in people and valuing craft as a long-term career.

At Wycombe Furniture Forum, we are learning from both Sylva and Rycotewood as we develop our own network and long-term strategy. We're particularly inspired by their:

• Hands-on learning environments

• Commitment to supporting early-career makers

• Partnerships with local manufacturers and educators

• Focus on sustainability and innovation

• Community-driven spirit

• 
  

As we work to revitalise the furniture sector in Bucks, we believe that replicating — and connecting with — initiatives like these will be critical. We want to help create a regional ecosystem where students become makers, makers become mentors, and the entire community benefits.

The future of the UK furniture industry depends on talent, training, and trust. Sylva and Rycotewood show us what's possible when all three come together.