THREE sisters from the Wesley Barrell dynasty have reunited to set up a new business.

Isabel, Eugenie and Juliette Barrell are all former directors of the Witney-based furniture-making firm, famous for its hand-crafted sofas.

The women's great-grandfather Anthony Barrell started the business in 1895, which was family run for four generations before being sold to a private investor two years ago.

Their new venture Cognoscentis is a marketing agency aimed at small firms in the interiors sector and will be based in Oxfordshire, London and Kent, to reflect where each of the three is based.

Joining them as business partners are former Chesney's fireplaces creative and artistic director Yvonne Deslandes and interiors photographer Fiona Kennedy.

Services will include business and financial management, creative marketing and communications, succession and senior team planning, retail and product development, graphic design and photography.

Cognoscentis business management partner and ex-Wesley Barrell managing director Isabel Barrell stressed the team have 120 years' combined experience between them of working in the homes interiors industry.

She said: "We recognise that in smaller businesses owner-managers sometimes get stuck, or simply are trying to juggle so much that they don't have the time to undertake the critical thinking a business needs.

"A fresh perspective and additional support maybe the catalyst a business is looking for to re-energise a management team, or help develop their business or marketing strategy.

"We seek to guide decision making, share skills and mentor, leaving people better equipped to run their own business'

Juliette Barrell, who takes on the role of marketing consultant in the new venture, said: "We have a wealth of knowledge, particularly in manufacturing, marketing and retailing custom-made furniture and furnishings to a discerning, design conscious clientele.

"We understand well the many issues and challenges faced in running a family or owner/managed business.

"Using our 'knowhow' and experience, we want to offer practical guidance about how to focus their energies."

After Wesley Barrell was bought by businessman Ayiaz Ahmed in September 2014, the Barrell sisters remained directors of Wesley Barrell, which has a £6m turnover and employs almost 100 staff, until last summer.

The firm's Ducklington workshop employs more than 40 craftspeople making furnitures including sofas and armchairs.