Back in 1999, Bill Cleyndert decided to push boundaries in the world of fine furniture. Having already worked in the cabinet making industry, he set up his own company – starting not in a shiny industrial unit, but in a former chapel on a U.S Air Force base in Norfolk. With just six people on the team (a few of whom are still with them today), the adventure began. Today, the team has grown to over 100 passionate individuals.
Several years later, Bill’s daughter Mandi joined the business. As Managing Director, she makes sure that what Bill started remains a true family run business – rooted in craftsmanship, collaboration, and a shared passion for creating beautiful masterpieces.
The company specialise in exceptional bespoke furniture, architectural joinery, and cabinetry. Their clients include interior designers, architects, and construction specialists – primarily London-based, though their projects are worldwide.
“Our work ranges from individual, freestanding furniture pieces to multi-million-pound residential and superyacht commissions. Recent projects include prestigious installations in British country estates and the French Riviera.”
They handle every stage—from design development, making, finishing and fitting—ensuring the highest quality and meticulous service. This reputation, built over decades, has enabled them to grow worldwide.
Even as the company works on projects around the world, the Norwich base allows Bill Cleyndert & Company to stay grounded.
Ryan, originally from Nottingham, joined Bill Cleyndert & Company in March 2025 as a draughtsperson. He moved to Norfolk in 2020 and chose Norwich as his home base because of its balance: lively city life, quick escape to the countryside, strong sense of community.
Life in NorwichIn Norwich you can be in the middle of a buzzing festival one minute, and twenty minutes later you’re surrounded by open countryside. That balance makes it feel like you don’t have to choose between energy and calm — you get both.
Life in Norwich
In his job, Ryan works on 3D modelling, production drawings, material quantifying — the backbone of what happens in the workshop. He enjoys being so close to both the makers and the design side, seeing his work turned into something tangible.
When he’s not drawing, Norwich feeds his creativity: local coffee spots (he’s a Strangers Coffee regular), new indie shops, festivals, exhibitions.
If you’re someone who appreciates craft, design, or learning a trade — or if you’re looking for a place where your skills are valued and where you can grow — Norwich is more than just a location. It feels like a workshop, a classroom, a gallery, all rolled into one.
Discover Matt's journey from Canada to Norwich, where science, family, and adventure came together. As a leading microbiologist and expert on Listeria, Matt shares how the Quadram Institute, a love for UK culture, and a bold family move shaped a new life in Norfolk. Perfect for professionals, researchers, and families considering relocation, this inspiring story captures what makes Norwich a place not just to work—but to truly belong.
