ERNA WALSH // CEO

 

Erna Walsh brings over 20 years of leadership in the design and furniture industry, combining strategic vision with an unwavering commitment to meaningful, enduring design.

As CEO of KFive, she oversees every aspect of the business, from curating our international collection to building lasting partnerships with clients and collaborators. Her role is both creative and operational, ensuring that every decision reflects KFive’s values of quality, longevity, and purpose.

Erna works closely with architects and designers to ensure the brands we represent meet the demands of modern projects, from large-scale public institutions to design-led workplaces and educational spaces.

She has been instrumental in delivering some of KFive’s most iconic projects, including the Melbourne Convention Centre, the Royal Children's Hospital, and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre. Her longstanding passion for culturally significant, sustainable design also led to the Boyd Collection, developed in partnership with the Robin Boyd Foundation.

Erna is a strong advocate for ethical and sustainable practices in the industry. Drawing on her studies in business ethics and sustainability at Cambridge University, she works closely with our manufacturing partners to reduce environmental impact while maintaining uncompromising standards of design and craftsmanship.

Under her leadership, KFive continues to champion furniture that lasts, in both relevance and use, placing value on materials, integrity, and timeless form.

“From the beginning, we’ve wanted to offer honest, simple, and enduring design, something that was missing in the market. Sustainability should feel effortless, not complex. It’s our job to make it accessible, practical, and part of everyday life.”