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10 years, 3 countries, and a world of possibilities with King Living
As Regional Retail Manager for the UK, Rose Bernard leads a growing team of 18 across three King Living showrooms, following the opening of the Westfield London Showroom in November 2024. This role marks a significant milestone in a remarkable decade-long career with King Living, spanning three countries and countless opportunities.
Throughout her journey, Rose has embraced challenges and seized opportunities, proving that success comes from a willingness to learn, adapt, and get stuck in. “There are so many opportunities at King Living,” she says. “For those who are prepared to dive in and contribute across different areas, the possibilities are endless.”
Here, Rose reflects on her global career with King Living and shares her vision for the future.
A global journey
Originally from country Victoria, Rose began her career with King Living as a Design Consultant in Canberra before establishing herself in the Richmond showroom in Melbourne. By 2019, her expertise and ambition led to an exciting opportunity to support the brand’s North American expansion.
“I’d always dreamt of living and working abroad,” she recalls. “When the call went out for expressions of interest to relocate to Canada, I saw a chance to step into a role that needed someone with deep knowledge of the business, as well as the drive to get involved in every aspect of the launch. It was too good to pass up.”
What started as a six-month secondment turned into two transformative years. Rose navigated the complexities of establishing King Living in a new market, laying the groundwork for what is now a thriving North American operation with four showrooms.
“It was exhilarating to represent an Australian brand overseas,” she says. “I felt immense pride in showcasing not just King Living, but the design excellence that represents Australia. Every challenge was an opportunity to grow.”
In 2021, Rose took on her current role, leading the King Living expansion into the UK.
Launching into the UK
Relocating to the UK, Rose faced the challenge of introducing a beloved Australian brand to a competitive and established market. Under her leadership, the London Tottenham Court Road showroom opened in December 2021, marking the brand’s first step into the region.
“One of the biggest challenges was understanding the UK customer while staying true to the essence of King Living,” Rose explains. “Rather than conforming to a traditional aesthetic, we leaned into our strengths: modern, innovative designs that combine flexibility with functionality.”
This bold approach has resonated with UK customers. “There’s a real appetite here for furniture that reflects modern lifestyles,” she says. “Our minimalist showrooms and modular, space-saving designs have struck a chord. Customers value the smart use of space, the flexibility of modular designs, and the ability to refresh and update their homes simply by changing covers or configurations.”
Adapting to the UK market also required rethinking visual merchandising and marketing strategies. “Homes here are often more compact than those in Australia or Canada,” Rose notes. “We’ve focused on showcasing how our designs fit seamlessly into smaller spaces while offering the versatility King Living is known for.”
Building a startup with 50 years of history
Launching in new markets comes with challenges, and Rose likens the process to "building a plane while flying it."
“We’re constantly refining systems, identifying gaps, and creating processes as we go,” she says. “It’s about staying adaptable and treating every hurdle as an opportunity to innovate.”
Managing a growing team and collaborating with stakeholders across time zones requires agility and a collaborative mindset. “I often describe what we’re doing as a startup backed by 50 years of history,” Rose says. “That combination gives us credibility and confidence. Customers can trust the brand, even if it’s new to them. And all the while, we’re remaining flexible, adapting, and constantly learning.”
Looking ahead
Rose is optimistic about the King Living future in the UK and Europe. “We’ve already achieved so much, from winning design awards to building strong customer relationships,” she says. “But there’s so much more potential to explore.”
For Rose, the journey with King Living continues to be one of growth, innovation, and possibility. “At King Living, we see what’s possible. If you’re willing to embrace challenges and put yourself out there, there’s no limit to what you can achieve.”
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