Chris Burke

​CEO

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​Chris started working in UK retail as a 13 year-old schoolboy selling donuts to give himself extra pocket money in school holidays. He did this every year whilst at school and then set up his own business, Chris’ Donut Emporium, as a 19 year-old before he went to university.

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After university, Chris joined Habitat (similar brand to Freedom) as a department manager and spent fourteen years in various roles eventually becoming Country Manager and then Head of International Development with responsibility for multiple countries across Europe and Asia.

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In 2008, Chris moved to Australia and initially ran the Dare Gallery business selling contemporary furniture. After selling Dare Gallery in 2013, Chris was asked to run the Plush Sofas business which, at the time, was in some difficulty. Through repositioning the business and building an industry-best team like-for-like sales doubled over four years and transformed the fortunes of the business, ultimately leading it to it being successfully sold to the Nick Scali Group.

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In 2022, Chris left Plush and was introduced to the Larry Kestelman Group. Initially, he helped with due diligence prior to the acquisition of Snooze, Futuresleep and G&G in 2023. The Hypnos Group was formed as a parent company with Vispring luxury mattresses added in 2024 as the fourth business. Since acquisition, the Group has out-performed the market with the teams working collaboratively to improve product ranges and service.

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Chris attributes his success to being equally passionate about making customers, staff and shareholders happy. Growing sales combined with sensible frugality are the keys to success and building teams with the same mindset is his strength. Chris has been fortunate to work for some great leaders and has come to realise going out to learn and not to teach allows for best progress. Finally, a strong work ethic and being highly organised are essential skills Chris has found in every role he has held.