On Friday 23rd January, the Snowdon School of Furniture at Highgrove opened its workshop doors for a showcase of exceptional student work

Among those presenting was Isobel Browne-Wilkinson, the newest recipient of the Grown in Britain (GiB) Scholarship, demonstrating the remarkable progress achieved during the CREATE programme.

Lord Snowdon, who curates the prestigious school located at Barley Court on the Highgrove estate, attended in person to applaud the achievements of both students and teachers. The showcase highlighted not just technical skill, but a deeper understanding of British timber, from woodland management through to finished furniture.

Investing in tomorrow’s talent

Isobel Browne-Wilkinson graduated from Brighton University in 2024 with a BA in 3D Design and Craft. As the third Grown in Britain Scholar, she joins a growing community of makers, foresters, and designers committed to working with sustainably sourced British timber.

The GiB Scholarship programme began with Phoebe Oldfield, who participated in the V&A Museum’s Field Notes Summer School before GiB supported her development through Sylva Wood School’s Professional Course. Jacob Marks, the 2024 Scholar, has been exploring coppiced hazel and other underutilised British species, to demonstrate how traditional woodland management practices can address contemporary environmental challenges whilst creating stunning furniture.

Isobel shared what attracted her to the programme:

‘I was drawn to CREATE because of my deep interest in heritage craft, sustainability, and working with British timber. The programme gave me rare time and space to experiment with wood, deepen my understanding of British forestry, and explore how traditional skills can be applied to contemporary design. Show day was a real highlight, sharing that journey and seeing how British timber can be used in innovative and meaningful ways. 

During the programme, I explored traditional rake-making techniques and translated those principles into a contemporary piece of furniture in the form of seed drawers, using British-grown wood. The experience deepened my understanding of our native timber and reinforced my ambition to create modern work rooted in heritage skills and sustainable practice.”

Being able to be a part of it was only possible because of the scholarship I received from GiB. I am so extremely grateful for the help they provided me and the amazing work they are doing to give other young makers like myself a leg up into the industry” 

A foundation for future makers

As part of her GiB scholarship, Isobel took part in The CREATE programme, a unique bridge between further education and professional practice. Running from September 2025 through January 2026, the intensive course immerses a small cohort of six graduate students in every aspect of furniture making using British timber.

Students don’t simply learn to work with wood—they understand its journey. The curriculum encompasses woodland management, tree selection for timber, planking and drying processes, and ultimately, design and production. Students gain hands-on experience harvesting wood and managing woodlands, informing every design decision they make.

This holistic approach, supported by The King’s Foundation Scholarships, ensures students can experiment creatively with timber whilst developing practical production skills, including batch manufacturing furniture and learning to use this remarkable natural material for contemporary applications.

Why this matters

For carpenters, furniture makers, and manufacturers, programmes like CREATE and scholarships like those offered by GiB represent more than individual success stories—they’re essential investments in skills development and industry knowledge.

The UK continues to import approximately £7.8 billion of timber a year to meet its timber needs, despite having woodlands capable of producing high-quality material. Bridging this gap requires not just certification and supply chain development, but skilled craftspeople who understand British timber’s unique characteristics and potential applications.

By supporting emerging talent through scholarships and educational partnerships, GiB ensures the next generation has the technical skills and environmental understanding to champion homegrown timber. These makers will specify British-grown materials  from genuine appreciation of quality, sustainability, and provenance.

Looking ahead

GiB were delighted to see Isobel and her fellow students progress through CREATE, they’re not simply learning a craft—they’re becoming ambassadors for sustainably sourced British timber, equipped to demonstrate its quality and versatility in their future work.

For those in the trade, supporting businesses that invest in training and promote homegrown materials strengthens the entire industry. Whether you’re specifying timber for projects, sourcing materials, or considering how your business might engage with the next generation of makers, these connections between education, craftsmanship, and sustainable forestry benefit everyone.

To learn more about the GiB Scholarship programme, certification, or how your business can support British timber, Contact Us