Michael Cottrell started his business in 2003 after working for several companies in North Norfolk area, Warwickshire and Oxfordshire. This has involved him in the creation of many one-off pieces such as four-poster beds, boardroom tables and chairs and built-in furniture including an oak library for Jeffrey Archer. Often this necessitated on-site fitting in such far-off places (from Norfolk anyway) such as France, Athens and Moscow.

His start in the business was very promising with many awards including "Certificate of Excellence in Carpentry & Joinery for Best Student", the London ‘Woodworker Magazine’ Show 1989 Certificate of Merit for Upright Dinning Chair and ‘Practical Woodworker Magazine’ Furniture Design Awards 1991 Second Prize for Rotating Display Cabinet. Other awards include the Rotary Award for Best Contemporary Design and the Michaelis Cup for Best Piece of Modern Design / Craftsmanship for Extending Dining Table.