b'LIKE FATHER,LIKE SONFrom humble origins Richard Davonport built the Davonport name using only the finest materials and his expert knowledge throughout the designand manufacturing process. Richards initial interest in furniture design was inspired by his father,Aubrey Davonport. Aubrey was an honorary member of the British Woodcarvers Association and taught his son how to carve using off-cuts of timber which Richard collected from an after-school job cutting down trees. With an interest in woodwork established Richard progressed quickly. He left his first job at a yacht builder to attend college and qualified with a Distinction in Furniture Design and Cabinet Making. From there his knowledge and expertise grew and in 1992 he won several awards for cabinet making.In the early nineties Richard set up his own workshop and Davonport was borne. In 1996 Richard moved to larger premises and switched his focus to designing and building luxury, bespoke kitchens. His attention to detail and unwillingness to compromise on quality soon led to growth in the business.By 2005 Davonport had become a respected brand working with over20 design studios across the UK. In 2013 Davonport moved to its current homea 1.2 acre site in Stanway, Colchester which comprises of a showroom, 20,000sq ft workshop and head office. Though the company has come a long way in the last two decades, with Richard at the helm, Davonport has never lost sight of its ethosa strong focus on traditional craftsmanship, using the best materials to create furniture without compromise. 6 7'