Marshall and Stewart

Turning Point One:
From Frames to Sleep

Brent began in 1979 at And So To Bed, a company famous for its antique brass frames. Back then, the whole industry was obsessed with aesthetics.

“It was all about the bed frame. Manufacturers would put horrible, uncomfortable slats on a bed because it looked sleek. But when you turn the lights out, who cares what it looks like? It’s what it feels like”.

Brent’s boss was of the view that the mattress didn’t matter and what people valued was the look of the bed.

Brent felt that he was missing an important consideration, and when his boss went on holiday, Brent quietly replaced the showroom mattress sets with top-quality alternatives.

“He came back and was furious when he saw what I had done, until I showed him the sales figures. Then he said, ‘Why didn’t we do this before?’”.

Why this matters to you: Brent learned early on that great sleep isn’t about appearances, it’s about comfort and restoration. That’s the principle guiding every Marshall & Stewart bed today.

Turning Point Two:
Discovering Hästens

Years later, as one of the UK’s most respected bed retailers, Brent believed he understood the trade inside out, until the day he lay on a Hästens bed.

“It was only when I lay on their beds that I realised I knew nothing. There was a whole other world of craftsmanship and materials. It was a revelation”.

This was the second turning point: Discovering the artistry and science of true mattress-making. Brent became a leading retailer for Hästens, selling their top-end beds in volumes that even outstripped their flagship stores.

Along the way, his showrooms attracted royalty and celebrities.

“The first week I got a call from Faye Dunaway about an antique four-poster. Princess Michael of Kent carried her antique bed into the showroom herself for repolishing. Ozzy and Sharon Osbourne came in looking like a nice middle-aged couple, I sold them a bed before I even realised who they were”.

Why this matters to you: Brent has already tested the best in the world, so when you step into our showroom, you’re guided by someone who knows exactly what separates an ordinary mattress from a life-changing one.

Turning Point Three:
Creating Something Better

Over time, Brent noticed changes at Hästens. There was a huge turnover of management and the goalposts kept moving - this didn’t align with what Brent had bought into - the idea of quality above all and delivering exceptional value for customers.

So he made a decision: to go one better. To take the lessons he had learned, honour the principles of true craftsmanship, and improve them.

“We don’t copy. We improved. Every aspect — from the springs to the fillings to the carpentry of the frame — had to be the very best. No shortcuts, no compromises”.

Why this matters to you: When you lie on a Marshall & Stewart bed, you’re not just experiencing decades of craftsmanship, you’re experiencing a bed built to a higher standard than even the world’s most famous names.

During the time when Brent was selling Hastens and Marshall and Stewart side by side in his stores, Marshall and Stewart outsold Hastens by 8 to 1. Customers would try both beds and pick Marshall and Stewart.

“One of the most satisfying things was seeing a Swedish customer arrive determined to buy a bed from home - only to have them choose Marshall and Stewart!”