Management Board

David began manufacturing conservatories and orangeries 40 years ago, but he arrived at that first conservatory by a rather circuitous route.

Graduating from Oxford University with a degree in physics he then studied for a PhD. However, rather than going into research as he had always imagined, his career took a dramatic turn, and he became a deep-sea diver working on oil platforms and construction barges in the Persian Gulf. This challenging but financially rewarding work allowed him to travel the world and enjoy life.

On returning to the UK, David made another career change. He obtained a position as a residential social worker supporting a group of people with serious mental illness.

It was while working in this environment, that David developed his interest in carpentry, and set up a small workshop to provide occupational therapy. Eventually, his passion for woodwork took over and he moved away from London to set himself up making furniture.

Through a series of coincidences, he was asked if he could make a conservatory, which he made on his own in his small workshop. This project was a great success, and he moved out of the back garden to a small industrial unit and employed an apprentice. From there growth took off, and the business has never looked back.

David’s flair, creativity, and attention to detail have been the driving force behind a growing organisation and, over the years, he has applied his creative talents across all areas of the business, especially in the development of the company’s bespoke manufacturing software.

Despite having recently retired from day-to-day involvement, David has retained ownership of the company and still provides advice and support to the current management team. He also continues to work on software development, which he particularly enjoys.

Matthew first worked for David Salisbury as Manufacturing Director for a period of 5 years from 2007. He was then headhunted and left to gain promotion. During this period, he developed his leadership skills as Managing Director of two different international SME businesses. He returned to the company in 2026 to lead David Salisbury as CEO.

Matthew’s decision to return was driven by a genuine affection for the business, its products and its people. Having built lasting friendships during his earlier years with the company, David Salisbury felt like home. He saw significant potential to expand and develop the business and was excited by the opportunity to help shape its future.

What draws him most is the company’s ‘working in harmony’ approach to design. This has recently been further strengthened, with the company now offering top of the range kitchens to be part of a whole design concept along with an orangery or garden room extension.

Customer satisfaction sits at the heart of Matthew’s approach to business. Throughout his career, he has found that when problems arise, honest communication, swift action and genuine care for the customer often strengthens relationships. For Matthew, the quality of service is every bit as important as the quality of the product itself.

Away from work, Matthew enjoys restoring old cars particularly British classics, visiting National Trust properties and castles, and meeting people with interesting stories to tell. Whether it is a father-and-son bakery, a slightly chaotic specialist garage where passion and expertise go hand in hand. He is fascinated by businesses built around craftsmanship, and character. It is these genuine human encounters and stories that he finds most rewarding.

After nine years working in financial services as a Compliance Officer for the FCA and then Dawnay Day, a privately owned financial services group, Karen decided to follow her creative passion and retrained as an Interior Designer.  She graduated from KLC School of Design during which time she also gained experience in architecture, working for an award-winning contemporary architect in London.  She then set up and ran an interior design business in London working on both residential and commercial projects, whilst also working with the BBC as a guest presenter and for IPC Media as a regular columnist specialising in interiors.  Looking for a new challenge, Karen secured a marketing role with BlueSpear Associates as Account Director working on a diverse range of products from motor bikes to energy drinks before joining David Salisbury in 2007 as Commercial Manager where she was instrumental in the re-branding of the business.

She recalls asking David Salisbury personally, during her interview, where he wanted the business to be in 5 years’ time and the answer was to be bigger than (the then) household brand, Amdega – and here we are, mission accomplished!  The role then opened up for a sales designer and Karen spent the next 7 years as a design consultant where she thoroughly enjoyed working directly with clients to fulfil their design requirements and many of her designs are featured on the website, in advertising and case studies.

The importance of putting the client first and ensuring that the designs are perfect for their property, lifestyle and budget remains close to Karen’s heart. She believes it is an important driver in achieving high customer satisfaction levels.

This leads us to her current role, as Sales and Marketing Director: “I am lucky to have found my dream job and look forward to the continued growth of the business and seeing the fulfilment of many new design projects for our valued customer base”.

Featured Project: Luxury Kitchen Orangery in Somerset

Andrew joined David Salisbury in 2001 as a skilled wood machinist and was instrumental in the company’s transition to advanced CNC machining. His career has been defined by a deep immersion in this technological evolution, progressing from hands-on operation to complex programming and department oversight.

In 2010, Andrew was appointed Engineering Manager, where he directed the development of specialized tooling, high-end machinery, and production processes. He also played a vital technical role in designing the next generation of David Salisbury products. Following his promotion to Manufacturing Manager in 2017, Andrew focused on the long-term technical health of the factory. Alongside a dedicated team, he laid the essential groundwork for a multimillion-pound machinery upgrade and spearheaded in-house software advancements to automate and streamline the production lifecycle.

Andrew’s strategic oversight was formally recognised in January 2022 when he was invited to join the Board of Directors. As Manufacturing Director, he transitioned these foundational projects into a broader corporate strategy, completing the capital investment program to replace legacy equipment with state-of-the-art CNC technology, a feat achieved through the combined effort of the skilled team supporting him.

A defining achievement of his recent tenure was the “existential flex” required to launch the company’s bespoke solid oak and tulipwood kitchen range. Driven by the belief that his success is defined by the strength of the team he supports, Andrew led this effort with his colleagues, managing new timber stocks and specialised production lines while maintaining core output. Today, Andrew remains proud of the team’s ability to adapt and excel, ensuring every project meets the industry-leading quality for which the David Salisbury brand is known.

Martyn started his working career as an apprentice woodworking machinist in 1990, attending Brunel technical college in Bristol. It was during this time that a position became available at what was then a small joinery company called David Salisbury Conservatories. He applied and joined the company as an apprentice in 1991, transferring to Bridgwater College to take his City and Guilds in carpentry and joinery.

During the 1990’s Martyn worked his way up through many aspects of the growing business including manufacture, supply and installation which eventually lead to him running the roof manufacture department. After teaching himself how to use AutoCAD software he progressed into the role of producing the technical design drawings.

Using his experience as a joiner and through working closely with architects and structural engineers, he quickly developed his design skills whilst recruiting a team of technicians to service the ever-growing business. Over subsequent years he has steadily built up the Design realisation team helping to shape the company in its continued growth.

He continues to manage a team of skilled technicians who provide drawing and design requirements through all aspects of the business. In December 2014 Martyn joined the senior management team and has since used his skills and experience to help in shaping the future of the company at board level.

Profile coming soon.

Stephen has been part of the business for over 22 years and still enjoys coming to work every day with the same passion and commitment as day one. One of the things he enjoys most is that no two days are ever the same.

He began his journey on the shop floor operating CNC machines and has worked his way through many different areas of the business over the years. From CNC programming and CAD design to maintenance, installations, customer service, purchasing, facilities management, and Health & Safety, Stephen has developed a broad understanding of how the business operates and what it takes to keep everything running smoothly.

Today, Stephen leads Health & Safety, Maintenance, Procurement, and Facilities. Health & Safety is a particular passion of his because he believes everyone deserves to go home safe at the end of the working day. He also enjoys the challenge of procurement and has developed a reputation for having a keen eye for a good deal and finding practical solutions that benefit both the business and its customers.

One of Stephen’s greatest strengths is problem-solving. Whether it’s overcoming a technical challenge, improving a process, finding a cost-effective solution, or helping a customer, he thrives on getting to the root of an issue and finding practical ways forward. He enjoys working with colleagues across the business to turn challenges into opportunities for improvement.

Stephen’s qualifications include the NEBOSH General and Construction Certificates, an NVQ Level 5 in Occupational Health & Safety Practice, Chartered IOSH status, and City & Guilds qualifications in Engineering. However, he believes some of his most valuable learning has come from working alongside great people across every level of the business.

Outside of work, Stephen is a dedicated Scout Leader and enjoys giving back to the local community. He is passionate about helping young people develop confidence, practical life skills, and resilience through adventure, teamwork, and leadership. Volunteering with the Scouts is something he finds incredibly rewarding and reflects his commitment to supporting and developing others, both inside and outside the workplace.

Having spent more than two decades with the company, Stephen takes great pride in seeing how both the business and its people have grown. Supporting colleagues, solving problems, improving standards, and contributing to the company’s continued success are what motivate him every day. His broad experience, practical approach, and willingness to get involved wherever needed make him a versatile and valued member of the team.

“If there’s a challenge to overcome or a problem to solve, you’ll usually find Stephen getting stuck in and looking for a practical solution.”

After starting his career in London working for a full-service marketing consultancy, Barney’s initial experience in the home and interiors industry began with the luxury kitchen company Chalon UK. Before joining David Salisbury in June 2017 as Marketing Manager, he was in charge of sales & marketing at the Old Creamery and Creamery Kitchens, further honing his skills in both consumer and trade marketing.

Over the intervening ten years, Barney has played a pivotal role in the evolution and continued success of David Salisbury, bringing a combination of marketing expertise and commercial insight to the business. His strategic approach, coupled with a deep understanding of the premium home improvement market, helped elevate David Salisbury’s profile and strengthened their digital presence during what became the most successful period in the company’s history.

Leveraging his past experience, Barney transitioned into overseeing the company’s kitchen operations in recent years, an area that has become an increasingly important part of the company’s offering and one that is primed for continued growth. Bringing the same clarity of vision and attention to detail, he has helped shape a seamless integration between conservatory, orangery, and kitchen design – an offering that is totally unique to David Salisbury.

Barney continues to support the management board across marketing, kitchen operations and business development, reflecting both his versatility and his commitment to delivering exceptional results across every facet of the company.

Profile coming soon.