Mark Gannon, CEO of Image Furnishings Group and Founder of IFHS, shares an insight into his role, establishing and Irish furniture show, fire reg changes and what’s next.
Meet Mark
I was born and raised in Roscommon town, and although my career began elsewhere, home was always part of the plan. After studying Marketing in Dublin, I worked with global brands like Coca-Cola, Guinness, and Vodafone—experiences that gave me a solid foundation in branding, sales, and customer strategy.
Eventually, I returned to Roscommon, where my brother David and I started Image Furnishings. From the beginning, I focused on product development, sales and customer relationships, while David managed logistics. That balance has helped us grow steadily over the last 20 years.
After traveling through South East Asia in 2002, I returned to the region in 2003 and continued on to China where I began building strong supplier relationships which has let us develop a business with on-trend designed quality products.
What is your current job role and key responsibilities?
I am the Group CEO which includes three brands: Image Furnishings, Sofa Source, and our newest venture, Avriio. I’ve been in this role for over 20 years, since co-founding the business in Roscommon. Alongside this, I’m the founder of the Irish Furniture & Homewares Show (IFHS), which launched in 2014 to support collaboration and long-term partnerships in the trade.
What do you love about your job?
Honestly, it’s the mix of things. Meeting customers face to face, hearing their feedback, and understanding what they need to succeed—it’s those conversations that often spark new ideas or product directions. I’m also passionate about continually evolving our ranges—working closely with our in-house design team and production partners to push boundaries, take risks, explore new ideas, and bring fresh, on-trend products to market. What I really enjoy is the daily interaction with our team across all areas of the business. Whether it’s sales, logistics, design, or customer service or our team in our office in China, I get to work with a fantastic group of people.
What time is your alarm clock set for and do you have a morning routine?
I’m lucky that our company is based in my hometown Roscommon, and I live just up the road. Because we’re in a rural area, I’m time-rich—no traffic jams, long queues, or hectic city pace to deal with—so I don’t need to be up at the crack of dawn! My morning routine is pretty simple: some time with the family, followed by a coffee with someone up the town if I am not on the road. It’s a calm start to the day… before everything gets a bit more lively at work!
Why did you choose to work in the furnishing industry?
My family has a strong history in the furniture industry and homeware products so it felt natural to follow that path.
Who do you most admire in the industry and why?
I have a lot of respect for those who’ve spent years in this industry. It’s full of resilient and creative people who’ve navigated shifting trends and economic challenges while continuing to innovate and grow. It takes real determination and passion to keep moving forward, especially while maintaining high standards of quality and service.
Have there been any special moments during your career?
One of the biggest highlights was setting up the Irish Furniture & Homewares Show back in 2014. There wasn’t a dedicated furniture trade show In Ireland for our industry at the time and that gap in the market sparked the idea to create the IFHS. Over the past 10+ years, we’ve continued to invest in the event, building it into a dynamic platform that highlights the best of Irelands suppliers and helps drive the growth of the entire Irish furniture sector. Seeing it grow and make a real difference has been one of the proudest moments of my career.
What is your favourite item of furniture you own and why?
An office chair I bought at a show in the NEC over 10 years ago. It’s stood the test of time and still in perfect condition to this day.
What do you think is trending within the industry at present?
Right now, we’re seeing a strong move toward soft, calming interiors—both in colour and shape. Fabrics this season are all about muted, natural tones like soft sands, smoky greys, and earthy greens, with the odd touch of rust to warm things up. It’s a palette that feels grounded and easy to live with.
In terms of shapes, there’s a big focus on flow and comfort—curved arms, rounded silhouettes, and deep, cocoon-like seating that really invites you to sit back and stay a while. It’s all about creating spaces that feel effortless and welcoming, with that sweet spot between modern style and everyday comfort.
What would you change in the industry?
Fire Retardant Regulations in Ireland and the UK. The only markets that we sell into that require these regulations, these need to be reviewed and brought in line with what the industry requires right now.
Can you share an insight into your future plans?
We have a ‘Vivid Vision’, an exciting three-year plan already in motion. Our Vivid Vision is the roadmap for the Group. It clearly defines where and how we’ll grow—expanding into new markets with innovative products, a growing expert team, and even closer collaboration with our trading partners in the UK and Europe.
A key part of this plan is the construction of a new office space, which will begin soon right beside our recently completed distribution centre. This development will help streamline operations, support continued growth, and ultimately allow us to serve our customers and our team even better as we move into the next phase.
What do you enjoy most outside of work / free time?
Since I travel a lot for work, I really value spending time with my family. Going on holidays together and just being with them is what I enjoy most. It’s a great way to relax and be in the moment with them.
What might someone not know about you?
I’ve always had an interest in vintage cars – especially Porsches. I have just commenced a full restoration of a 1974 Porsche 911 Targa.
If you had a different career, what would it be?
When I was younger, I always wanted to be a bin man, it looked fun and you got to hang off the back of the lorry — what more could you want as a child?
Funny enough, that childhood fascination came full circle years later when I met the CEO of The City Bin Co. at a Scaling Up conference. Hearing about the scale, success, and profitability of their business was genuinely inspiring. It really opened my eyes to how even the most everyday jobs, when done well and with vision, can be built into something incredibly impressive.
15) Finally, if you were an item of furniture, what would it be and why?
I’d probably be a bean bag—comfy, laid-back, and built for relaxing.
www.ifhs-tradeshow.ie / www.imagefurnishings.com
Five Fun qs:
If you could hack into any one computer, whose computer would you choose and why?
The biggest achievement would be learning how to hack, never mind whose computer it is.
What fact amazes you every time you think of it?
No number before 1000 contains the letter A
What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?
I’d say riding a motorbike through Vietnam from Sàigon to Hanoi back in 2002 with no plan never mind a helmet – and somehow made it out the other side.
What is the most important object you own and why?
I’d say my boat—it’s just 10 minutes from our home to the River Shannon. Taking the family out on it is the perfect way to unplug and relax with no agenda. I always make a conscious effort to slow it down and spend more quality time with my family, even when things get busy. The kids love kayaking/paddle boarding and just being outdoors, so it’s really become our or their go-to place for quality time with friends and family
What did you think was cool when you were young but isn’t cool now?
When I was younger, I thought skateboarding was the coolest thing ever. I even bought a board once in Canada while on holidays, fully convinced I was going to go pro! Turns out, my skills didn’t quite match the dream, however I definitely would not be cool on a skateboard today.
