The name Frobisher is synonymous with bespoke interiors, from the iconic showroom on Manchester Street to the exceptional interior design service. To mark International Women’s Day, three of Frobisher’s dynamic leading women give us a glimpse into their roles within the company.

The Frobisher showroom has been designed to inspire. It’s filled with exquisite furniture, homeware and accessories from renowned international designers. Beyond the showroom, you’ll find a passionate team of interior specialists committed to helping you enhance your home. The team explores the world to find one-of-a-kind pieces and has a unique range that you won’t find anywhere else in Christchurch. It’s all about crafting spaces to be lived in and enjoyed.

“One of the best things about working at Frobisher is that no two weeks are the same,” says creative director Ann-Marie Appleton. A working week for Ann-Marie and her colleague Jessica Beavon, national sales and design manager, can involve client consultations, photoshoots, visual merchandising of all new arrivals, client fit-outs, delivering and receiving project presentations, interviewing for new talent, construction site visits, or connecting with leading suppliers so that the team is across all new products and offerings.

“A focus for us as management is to guide and steer the wider team to envelop and embrace future growth,” says Ann-Marie.

Project and accounts manager Rebecca Kennett is the go-to for all things financial, technical, commercial and residential. She wears several hats as the sales and design team keep the projects and accounts team extremely busy. “My weeks vary, from projection planning to resource scheduling, project forecasting, financial account management, working closely with our contractors and suppliers nationwide and in Melbourne,” says Rebecca. “You can find me on Zoom calls, information gathering, and thriving in a fast-paced industry.” Rebecca always tries to find the right outcome and likes to talk action, which keeps the team moving in the same direction.

“Taking the leap from our villa in Merivale to the retail space here in Christchurch and in Auckland, we have been able to achieve and grow Frobisher the way we had always envsioned and planned,” says Ann-Marie. “We are now in our eighth year on Manchester Street and have our own espressory, warehouse and logistics team, brand strategist, interior design studio, as well as a project and accounts team.” The trio is really proud of how far they have come, and have just launched a new website and brand polish to reflect the vision and goals for Frobisher going forward.

“The dynamic in the team is often effortless as our departments share the same vision and end goal, and we pride ourselves on staying true to our company values,” says Jessica. Working in a female-dominated industry, the three feel privileged to have such a passionate, diverse team of women with forward-thinking mindsets and a planning focus.

“We are lucky that our management team is made up of like-minded people,” says Rebecca. That means focused, big picture thinkers who are driven to strengthen the wider team. “We cope with the ups and downs as they come, and get together for Friday drinks to celebrate the wins with the team.”

At Frobisher, you’ll find wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling, end-to-end design services. With the expertise of interior designers and an in-house architectural consultant to draw on, no idea is off limits!

To start your journey towards inspired interiors, visit the retail concept showroom and fabric library at 322 Manchester Street and get friendly advice on realising your vision. Frobisher believes good design is collaborative: a reflection of your style enhanced by their expertise to create a bespoke interior you’ll love.

03 355 2628 | frobisher.co.nz