After an extraordinary 21.5-year tenure representing Whitemeadow Furniture, industry stalwart Jim Fraser has announced his upcoming retirement, bringing to a close a remarkable 39-year career in the UK furniture trade.
Jim began his journey in the industry in 1986 with Silentnight, before going on to represent some of the most respected names in British furniture including Celebrity, Parker Knoll, Sutcliffe and Contour Model. It was during his time at Contour Mobile in 1999 that Jim first met Ian Oscroft, a meeting that would go on to shape the next two decades of his professional life.
Recalling that moment, Jim said: “I quickly came to the conclusion that Ian was a man true to his word, and someone I could trust implicitly. When he contacted me in 2003 to join Whitemeadow as an agent for Scotland, it was an instant yes.”
From that point forward, Jim became an integral part of the Whitemeadow story. Starting with Scotland, he later added Northern Ireland and Cumbria to his patch, building strong and lasting relationships with retailers across the regions. As Whitemeadow evolved into one of the UK’s leading upholstery manufacturers, Jim remained a constant – providing stability, integrity, and exceptional service to both the business and its customers.
Ian Oscroft, Chairman of Whitemeadow, commented: “Jim has been the embodiment of professionalism, loyalty, and dedication throughout his time with us. His reputation in the trade is second to none, and his contribution to Whitemeadow’s growth across Scotland and Northern Ireland simply cannot be overstated. Jim is a true industry legend and it has been a privilege to work with him.”
The generational handover at Whitemeadow has also been something Jim has been part of, seeing the company pass from father to son. Daniel Oscroft, now leading the company into the future, paid tribute:
“Jim’s customer relationships have always been outstanding. He is trusted, respected, and genuinely liked by everyone he works with – retailers and colleagues alike. He’s been a huge part of the Whitemeadow family and will be sorely missed. I now have the unenviable task of trying to find someone to fill his shoes.”
With Jim’s departure, planned for the end of September 2025, Whitemeadow has begun the search for a new Sales Representative to cover the North of England and Scotland. A job description has recently been posted, inviting passionate and driven individuals to represent one of the most respected names in British-made upholstery.
As Jim retires, he leaves behind not only a legacy of service and excellence, but also the admiration and gratitude of the entire Whitemeadow team – and the many customers he’s supported over the years.
“We wish Jim a long, happy, and well-earned retirement, filled with all the joy he deserves. Thank you, Jim.”
