Event Date: February 9, 2026, 11:30am – 1:30pm
Event Location: International Ballroom, JW Marriott

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About Matthew Haworth

Chairman, Haworth Inc.

Matthew Haworth joined the family business during the summer of 1983 with a job in manufacturing. In 1991, Haworth started with the company full-time and began his career working at dealerships in Seattle, Washington, and Washington, DC. Later, he joined the sales team in Atlanta and has since held a wide variety of roles in marketing, manufacturing, planning, and purchasing.

During his career, Haworth led the company’s largest single business unit as Director of Product Line Marketing and Management for the office furniture work stations business. He oversaw the growth of new product platforms and the development of a global product management process, leading that business group to industry-leading growth.

Since 2004, Haworth has served as part of the governing board for the company. He has participated in guiding the global strategy, setting performance targets, and evaluating performance of the management team. In 2009, Haworth became Chairman.

As Chairman, Haworth has overseen the company’s acquisition of a range of brands to support global business and individual priorities. Haworth Commercial Interiors provide flexibility to businesses and spaces as needs change. Haworth residential brands provide rich interiors for homes, hospitality, transportation, outdoor, and retail spaces. Bluescape, the technology focused brand, provides collaborative software that enables teams to co-create regardless of geographic and time constraints.

“I believe we can affect the quality of the day wherever we are – while living, learning, healing, working, and traveling,” said Haworth. “We can enrich lives by unleashing and amplifying human potential.”

Haworth is a native of Holland, Michigan. He received a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Indiana University; received Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accreditation from the United States Green Building Council; completed Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management Executive Program on governing family business; and completed Harvard University’s board governance program. He is a board member of the Grand Valley University Foundation, West Michigan Policy Forum director, Business Leaders for Michigan director, and a United States Soccer Federation licensed coach.

About Franco Bianchi

President and CEO, Haworth Inc.

Franco Bianchi has led the Haworth global organization since July 2005. Today, this includes:

• Commercial Interiors – designs and manufactures furniture and interior architecture solutions for working, learning and healing environments all over the world
• Lifestyle Design – the most iconic residential, hospitality and mobility interiors brands

Haworth’s family of brands includes Tuohy, AIS, Buzzispace, Hushoffice, Cassina, Poltrona Frau, Ceccotti Collezioni, Cappellini, JANUS et Cie, Luxury Living, Luminaire and Interni.

Franco served on the officer team in previous roles as Chief Operating Officer, Vice President of Global Product Lines Management & Marketing and Vice President of Finance North America. He also served as General Manager of Haworth Italy, growing sales by nearly 50 percent with leading profitability, and held several positions in the European sector.

Franco’s leadership has played a key role in raising Haworth’s corporate design and innovation brand, including the 2014 acquisition of the Poltrona Frau Group. The addition of this Italian premium furniture design group expanded Haworth’s global strategy into residential and mobility interiors.

Franco began his career with Haworth in 1992. His prior experience includes consulting on mergers and acquisitions; a role as Senior Associate for the accounting firm Arthur Andersen; and serving as chief accountant in Montenegro, Italy. Franco spent 12 months in military service for NATO.

Franco holds a degree in Business and Administration from Bologna University in Bologna, Italy. In addition to English, he speaks fluent Italian and French.

Despite a schedule that has him circling the globe, Franco finds time to contribute his talents to his West Michigan community. Boards he has served on include: Business + Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Associations, Lacks Industries, Talent 2025, The Economic Club of Grand Rapids, and Davenport University. He is also a proud supporter of Opera Grand Rapids, Grand Rapids Art Museum and ArtPrize. Franco and his wife, Alessandra, have two sons and enjoy being involved in the arts and spending time outdoors.