The Chippendale International School of Furniture has been named winner of the Best Small to Medium Sized Business Award at the 2014 Best Business Awards (BBAs).

The furniture school, outside Gifford, is internationally recognised as being one of the best furniture design and restoration schools, and is preparing to celebrate its 30th birthday next year.

Each year, the school takes some 20 students from around the world for 30-week courses, cramming three years of study into less than one year. And this year’s inatake of students came from as far afield as the USA, Italy, Norway, Canada and Trinidad and Tobago, as well as from across the UK, while former students can be found from Australia and Japan to the USA and Canada.

The BBAs pride themselves on having a large panel of more than 20 independent expert judges who select winners according to strict criteria for each category and sector.

And the judges said: “The Chippendale International School of Furniture has built up a global reputation and become the place to go for students from all over the world to learn about traditional and new methods of craftsmanship.

“What is interesting is that the not-for-profit organisation is funded by students’ fees, making it totally self-sufficient. Any surplus is reinvested in the business.

“By focusing on a niche area of education, The Chippendale International School has raised the profile of furniture design and enhanced the reputation of the UK as centre of excellence in woodwork and craftsmanship.” Meanwhile, Anselm Fraser (pictured), principal of the school, added: “On behalf of the all of teaching staff, we are delighted to have won this award. For the past 30 years we have worked hard to build the profile of the school internationally and are proud to have launched the careers of so many people.”