Oliver Drake grew up in Quebec, Canada, and has been woodworking professionally since 2000. He studied cabinet making at RTC in Montreal in 1999 and since finishing his course has lived and worked in Western Canada, the French Pyrenese and currently lives in Bristol, UK.

Working with over a dozen woodworking outfits during the past six years, Oliver has learnt many different facets of the trade. From antique restoration through to contemporary furniture, a love of hand tools and custom pieces has evidently developed and can be seen in his work.

Maintaining an active approach to ethically sourcing timber is integral in Olivers' work. He works in conjunction with the Bristol Wood Recycling Project, which is a not-for-profit social enterprise collecting and re-selling waste wood (www.bwrp.org.uk). Oliver is also a member of the Forest of Avon Wood Products Cooperative, which aims to use sustainable timber felled within a 25 mile radius of Bristol (www.foa.org.uk). Both organisation promote local growth within the industry. Whether it's reclaimed yew destined for the fireplace or oak that's been felled and milled locally, there is a continual emphasis on using 'goodwood'.