Available to hire
Hi, I’m Jon Groves, a versatile designer and engineer with over 20 years of experience in furniture design, development and lead manufacturing. My approach covers everything from one-off pieces to high-volume production, enabling me to foresee issues across the production process and deliver robust, deliverable solutions. I value people and believe that recognizing individual abilities and understanding limitations is essential to managing projects of any size.
I’m a collaborative team player who translates client briefs into practical, on-time, on-budget results, balancing creativity with production planning and hands-on execution. I thrive in multi-disciplinary environments and enjoy mentoring others to unlock their potential while ensuring projects meet quality standards and timelines.
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
Language
English
Fluent
Work Experience
Freelance Designer at Black Ivy Design
January 1, 2025 - PresentM&E and space planning for hospitality projects (freelance/contract).
Joinery Designer at Martyn Fisher Ltd
January 1, 2024 - December 31, 2024Joinery fit-out of high-end luxury residential development.
Interior Joinery Designer at Halstock Cabinet Makers
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023Interior joinery fit-out for luxury apartment projects.
CAD Designer / Space Planner at OSP
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021Evaluation and rationalising existing store plans for a major mini market chain.
CAD Designer / M&E / Project Engineer at Specialist Joinery Group
January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020Setting out drawing work for construction & joinery installation of a large residential development, London.
Interior Designer / Space Planner at Summers Inman
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019Continuing interior fit-out & space planning for Nationwide Building Society.
M&E CAD Designer at OTL Consultants
January 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019Large set-out of the M&E designs for multi-brand retail/hotel developments including KFC, Pizza Express, Harry Ramsden & Ramada.
Interior Designer / Space Planner at Summers Inman
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018Interior fit-out design and space planning for large-scale HQ offices for Nationwide Building Society.
Joinery Designer at ITS
January 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018Joinery design and setting out for various projects.
Joinery Designer at Howard Brothers
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017Joinery design & setting out for AEU, Chelmsford.
Joinery Designer at Eximious
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017Various joinery design & setting out projects.
Joinery Designer / CAD Designer at Nuthalls
January 1, 2017 - December 31, 2017Joinery design & setting out CAD design.
Exhibition Designer at Hayley Sharpe Design
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016Unitary design for permanent exhibition, St Louis, US.
Exhibition Designer at The Hub
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016Design and installation of 'Revolution' exhibition, V&A, London.
Interior Designer at EE Smith
January 1, 2015 - December 31, 2015Various projects including Moonridge residential & Grosvenor Hotel.
Furniture / Joinery Designer at GT Morgan
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014Folie Folly counter and storage.
CAD Designer at Ruddy Joinery
January 1, 2012 - December 31, 2012Setting out CAD design for penthouse/duplex apartments, The Shard.
Site Surveyor / CAD Designer at Inviso Surveying
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009Site surveying and planning.
Engineering CAD Designer at Expleo Group
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023Using niche bespoke 3D software with Team Centre on an ongoing government maritime defence project.
CAD Designer / Design Engineer at Cibes Lift UK
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022Turn accepted quotes into detailed CAD, design, engineering, CNC, programming, furniture, space planning, manufacturing, M&E, management, AutoCAD, AlphaCAM, RADAN, SketchUp, site plans, Dutch remote working, contract, freelance, East Midlands; calculating and issuing detailed construction plans for multi-floor lifts; liaising with Swedish manufacturers for just-in-time delivery.
Project Manager / Head of Design at Universal Contracts
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2017In a small team, analytical project management with just-in-time production & material sourcing; improved productivity and morale.
Space Planner / CAD Designer at Solutions Diverse
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016Reviewing the O2 retail property holding and in-store unitary & space planning for over 480 stores.
Freelance Joinery / Project Designer at Howard Bros. Joinery
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014Freelance contract work on interior fit-out of eight floors of the Canadian High Commission, London.
M&E CAD Designer at Acorn MPS Ltd.
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013Schematic & dimensional plans for gas & water remedial works across Manchester University main campus.
Design Engineer / Space Planner at Birley Manufacturing Ltd
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2012High-end retail fit-out; sole design responsibility; on-site coordination; MRP-driven production.
Joinery Designer at Realm Projects
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010Joinery setting out and component control for Hepworth Gallery fit-out.
M&E Design Sub-Contractor Coordinator at JonCAD Ltd
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2010CAD design coordination for Arcadia Group retail fit-outs; on-site integration of CAD, design, engineering, CNC, manufacturing, and M&E.
CAD / Space Planner at SGP Property Services
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008Retail space planning and rollout of over 150 'new concept' Carphone Warehouse stores; Arcadia Group CAD support.
Head of Design at Cintique
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2006Expanded product range; unified two sites; improved finishing line; reduced returns via design improvements.
Head of Design at Continenta (London) Ltd
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 1999Head of Design during a period of reduced company size; maintained high quality & production standards.
Head of Design at Kesslers International
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1996Oversaw multiple POS and display projects; in-house manufacturing of wood, metal and plastics; managed MRP.
Designer at A Baveystock & Co
January 1, 1994 - December 31, 1995Developed CAD/CAM-driven design processes; contributed to ISO 9001 quality systems and costings.
Joinery setter and project management at A. Edmonds
January 1, 2025 - PresentJoined a prestigious joinery manufacturer to manage setter activity and project delivery for exclusive high-end residential, hotel and hospitality projects, ensuring top-quality delivery on time and within budget.
Engineer (niche 3D software) – government maritime defence project at Expleo Group
January 1, 2023 - December 31, 2023Part of a team using bespoke 3D software in conjunction with Team Centre to support an ongoing government maritime defence project, focusing on CAD, design, engineering and manufacturing planning.
CAD/Design/Engineering for lift installations at Cibes Lift UK
January 1, 2021 - December 31, 2022Turn accepted quotes into deliverable CAD designs for multi-floor lift installations. Co-ordinate with Swedish manufacturers via a bespoke EOS system to ensure just-in-time delivery and installation, including space planning, M&E, and production planning.
Project/Operations Manager at Universal Contracts
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2017Led small teams on progressively larger joinery/production projects through analytical man-management, just-in-time sourcing, and close collaboration across departments to beat larger competitors in time and quality.
Space planning and unitary retail design review at Solutions Diverse
January 1, 2016 - December 31, 2016Contract work reviewing the O2 retail property holding, ensuring unitary and space planning across over 480 stores to consolidate brand design and improve store layout.
Freelance Joinery/Interior Fit-Out Lead at Howard Bros. Joinery
January 1, 2014 - December 31, 2014Freelance contract work directing the manufacture and installation of eight floors of interior fit-out for the Canadian High Commission, London; prioritised production flow for seamless site delivery.
Contract M&E CAD Designer at Acorn MPS Ltd.
January 1, 2013 - December 31, 2013Responsible for schematic and dimensional plans for the gas & water remedial works on Manchester University’s main campus, based on site surveys.
Senior Designer / Waitrose Project Lead at Birley Manufacturing Ltd
January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2012High-end retail fit-out designer with sole design responsibility for Waitrose projects; delivered optimal site planning with M&E requirements and tight production coordination.
Joinery Setting Out / Component Control at Realm Projects
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2010Joinery setting out and component control for Hepworth Gallery, Wakefield, coordinating production to meet installation schedules.
M&E Design Sub-Contractor Co-ordination at JonCAD Ltd
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2010Co-ordination of M&E design for Arcadia Group major retail fit-outs; integrated CAD, design, engineering, CNC programming, and site planning.
M&E / Space Planning & Fit-Out CAD Support at SGP Property Services
January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2008Oversaw space planning and M&E considerations for large-scale retail outlets including rollout of over 150 'new concept' Carphone Warehouse stores.
Head of Design / Production Layout at Cintique
January 1, 2000 - December 31, 2006Replaced outgoing designer; expanded product range, unified factory workflow, and improved finishing lines to shorten lead times while maintaining quality and safety.
POS & Display Projects Lead at Kesslers International
January 1, 1995 - December 31, 1996Managed multiple POS and display projects in-house across wood, metal, and plastics; oversaw MRP to maintain Just-In-Time production.
Design Team Member at A Baveystock & Co
January 1, 1994 - December 31, 1995Contributed to the design process for nursery furniture; developed CAD/CAM processes and ISO 9001 quality practices.
BA/Design Student at Not applicable
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1994Study period at Nottingham Trent University culminating in BA Furniture & Product Design.
M&E CAD Designer (Freelance / Early Career) at Inviso Surveying
January 1, 2008 - December 31, 2009Site surveying and planning support for various projects; contributed to early CAD-based design workflows.
Education
BA Furniture & Product Design at Nottingham Trent University
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1994BA Furniture & Product Design at Nottingham Trent University
January 1, 1989 - January 1, 1994Qualifications
Industry Experience
Manufacturing, Retail, Education, Government, Professional Services, Real Estate & Construction, Media & Entertainment, Travel & Hospitality, Other
Experience Level
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Expert
Intermediate
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