Alumni Profile : Suzi Ellis
Alumni Profile: Suzi Ellis (nee Radcliffe) was at HLC from 1983 to 1989 and was in York Boarding House. Suzi founded The English Cabinet Company in 2016 which forms part of the JT Ellis & Co. business.
“The English Cabinet Co. is built on the belief that UK manufacturers can produce extremely high quality designs at a competitive price. We wanted to reduce the need to ship products around the world, bringing beautiful pieces to the UK in a more sustainable manner, whilst ensuring every home has access to durable and stylish interior design.”
She was known for making her classmates laugh at school, loved the House Skits and may have got into a little bit of trouble every once in a while. During our 6th form takeover week in October 2021, one of our Prefects, Harriet, took to Zoom to interview Suzi and find out about her journey from school to successful business woman:-
What are your best memories from school?
When I was at school I was always more creative and sporty than academic. Sport was such an integral part of our days and I loved the House Skits we performed. Basically anything that made me laugh! My funniest memory from school was when all of York House hid in the trunk cupboard for 4 hours.
On a serious note, I really enjoyed school. As a boarder, I loved how close we were to Harrogate and the freedom we were given to explore the town. I loved how well the boarders and day girls integrated with each other so we learnt from each other. HLC taught me a lot of independence, I discovered how to get on with people from all walks of life, even if we didn’t have much in common, and I definitely matured during my time at school.
Looking back, I did hate how strict the teachers were at times, particularly my English teacher, but in hindsight, it was amazing and exactly what I needed. I was interested in my lessons, so much so that I left school and went to college in Leeds to study Journalism.
What advice would you give 6th formers now?
I have two daughters in their 20’s and I’d give you the same advice as I give them: make the most of every opportunity you are given; don’t let anyone tell you you can’t do something; always imagine you can achieve; be good honest, upstanding people and you’ll succeed! You’re in a very privileged position with the education at HLC, so make sure you always try and do the right thing to give back to those who may be less fortunate than you. I always think that everyone is amazing at something as long as you work hard, you’ll do well.
You don’t have to know what you want to do now. I’m 50 and I’m still not 100% what I want to do, but use your time in 6th form to think about what you want success to look like and focus on what you’re good at.
Are you still in touch with other old girls from your time at school?
Absolutely! I made friends for life. I’m still in touch with about 20 girls from HLC, and I still speak regularly to at least 5 of the girls I went to school with, one of whom is godmother to one of my children. School is a fantastic platform to move on from with a good group of friends around you. I look back now and appreciate the time we had at HLC – our chapel services, our choir, they were all great.
Tell us about your journey from school to The English Cabinet Company
I studied at the North of England Secretarial College in Leeds for a year, with a view to going into journalism, after achieving 2 A Levels in school (I think I was having too much fun in Upper 6!). I then got a job in Harrogate before going to work for a marketing company in the US for a year. On returning to the UK I joined a large comms company, before deciding that the male-dominated culture wasn’t for me. A friend of mine had set up his own luxury packaging business, so I went to work with him and stayed there for 12 years. I focused on the lifestyle brands in the main and whilst working here I completed a business degree alongside my job. While working for my friend, I also started writing for the mainstream national magazines focusing on the interior and homes press before setting up my own PR and Marketing consultancy working with some fantastic brands.
I then went to work with my husband’s family business. His is a fourth generation family business owner, producing furniture for the MOD, hotels, schools, hospitals, and 80% of UK universities are all supplied by our business. At this time however, they didn’t do anything for the residential market. So, when we were redecorating our daughter’s bedroom and we couldn’t find good quality furniture, I challenged my husband to create something! That was the start of The English Cabinet Company. We’d identified a gap in the market. Originally we were separate to JT Ellis and then, on the back of the huge success, we realigned to be part of the business with a retail presence.
I always wanted to work hard and make money and in starting The English Cabinet Company I put my own experience of developing small brands into national businesses into practice to create a success.
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