Fara Butt, Director at Shire Beds, has been appointed as the new President of the National Bed Federation (NBF), succeeding outgoing President Tean Dallaway.
A respected and long-standing member of the federation, Fara has played an active role within the NBF since 2010. She initially joined through the Marketing Committee, which she chaired for 13 years, before going on to serve on both the NBF Council and Board. Her appointment marks the continuation of a strong leadership journey within the organisation and reflects her commitment to supporting and strengthening the UK bed industry.
Fara is Director at Shire Beds, the Yorkshire-based second-generation family business known across the industry for its distinctive branding and long-standing manufacturing heritage. Prior to joining the business, she spent 25 years working in secondary education, bringing extensive leadership, communication, and people-development experience into the manufacturing sector.
Speaking following her appointment, Fara said: “It is a real honour to become President of the NBF and to represent an industry built on people, craftsmanship, and resilience. The federation plays a vital role in bringing our sector together, supporting members through change, and ensuring our collective voice is heard.
“As an industry, we are facing increasing regulatory pressures, changing consumer expectations, sustainability challenges, and continued supply chain scrutiny. In that environment, collaboration and representation have never been more important.”
Alongside her role at Shire Beds, Fara also chairs the Mayoral Manufacturing Advisory Board at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, where she works alongside industry leaders and policymakers on issues including skills shortages, productivity, Industry 4.0, inward investment, exports, and the green agenda. The board’s work contributes towards shaping wider industrial policy at a national level.
During her presidency, Fara plans to focus on openness, visibility, and member engagement across the federation. She is also keen to strengthen collaboration throughout the supply chain and will support a new programme of breakfast meetings, roundtables, and supplier-hosted events designed to encourage knowledge sharing, innovation, and stronger industry relationships.
Fara will also continue supporting the NBF’s strategic priorities around market insight, standards and representation, sustainability, and long-term industry resilience.
“The NBF has a proud history spanning more than 100 years,” she added. “My aim is to preserve what is strong, improve what needs to evolve, and ensure every member feels represented, supported, and valued.”
