As Chairman of Heal & Son for four decades Sir Ambrose Heal (1872–1959) transformed the family business into one of Britain’s leading promoters of well-designed, affordable furniture. Deeply influenced by the Arts and Crafts movement while embracing the advantages of modern manufacturing, Heal championed simplicity, quality and functional design. Through his own furniture, his leadership of Heal’s, and his role in promoting good industrial design, he helped shape the development of modern British furniture during the first half of the twentieth century.