Dermot trained at Rycotewood college as a cabinet maker . After a 30 year career with experience as a maker and production manager in a mass production furniture factory. Then finally as a share holder and director of a specialist joinery and shop fitting manufacturer , using a lot of veneers, MDf, as well as solid timber. Since 2018 Dermot has been running Whitney sawmills a specialist hardwood sawmill sourcing and championing UK grown hardwoods