About Us
Established in 1980, Countryside Kitchens & Interiors is the brainchild of Shona and Jerry Ponder, the husband-and-wife team who have spent the last 40 years honing their skill for turning houses into homes. In 2016 they welcomed their son Elliot to the business and in 2020 their daughter Susie, passing their expertise on to the next generation. Supported by a dedicated team of master craftsmen who are equally passionate, Countryside Kitchens design, manufacture and install dream interiors of unparalleled quality.
Shona Ponder
Founder & Design Operations Director
Shona qualified in Interior Design and has been designing kitchens and interiors for over 40 years. She has a unique gift for translating each client’s vision and personality into the perfect kitchen for their lifestyle.
Jerry Ponder
Founder & Financial Director
With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Jerry is accredited by both Cardiff University Law School as an expert witness and also Aberdeen University School of Law Jerry has also appeared as an industry expert on TV programmes including BBC Watchdog and Rogue Traders.
Elliot Ponder
Production Director
With an eye for design and technical detail, Elliot manages the production side of the business from our facility in Kelso. When he gets any spare time, Elliot, loves the rural lifestyle and sport.
Susie Anderson (née. Ponder)
Design Director
Susie graduated with a degree in fashion technology and brings her 3D design skills to the business. Susie transforms the ideas, sketches and plans via CAD into working drawings and visuals, bringing your ideas to life. When she is not in the office Susie loves to travel, up into the Scottish Highlands or when possible somewhere warmer.
Cameron Ponder
Marketing Manager
After graduating with a degree in Marketing from Robert Gordon University and spending five years working in Dubai, Cameron has recently returned to the UK with fresh perspective and experience ready to implement his experience into Countryside marketing. When he’s not working, Cameron is developing his craft at drama school.
Kendra Loukhal
Design Technician
Aileen Martin
Showroom Manager
Aileen brings experience from Textiles, Fashion and Home Interiors. Her knowledge and attention to detail are invaluable skills which she brings to Countryside kitchens. Aileen has an eye for anything beautifully designed and crafted. Nothing gets overlooked and often becomes part of an ever expanding art collection.
Brenda Forder
Project Coordinator
Michael Middlemiss
Finance Manager
Jodie Martin
Accounts Administrator
Jodie has great organisational skills, lives numbers and has extensive experience working within procurement. Completing her Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply MCIPS in 2012. She looks after all the accounts administration and procurement of appliances. When not at work her two children keep her very busy!
Richard Sewell
Lead Joiner & Project Manager
Starting his apprenticeship in 1991 Richard has 33 years joinery experience. He has done everything from workshop manufacturing to house building and has accrued a vast knowledge of joinery and other trades. Over the years he has managed teams to complete an array of projects and continues to carry out this role to his very high standards!
Nick Barnes
Joiner
Paul Smith
Cabinet Maker
Paul is a master craftsman with more than 30 years cabinet making experience. When he’s not creating handmade kitchens you can find him bagging Munro’s or in his own workshop.
Tom Smyth
Cabinet Maker
Russell Hadwin
Cabinet Maker
Carl Fitzgerald
Cabinet Maker
Andrew Lawson
Bench Joiner
Andrew joined the Countryside team in April 2022 and spent two years in the workshop before successfully joining the fitting team. He has enjoyed the challenge of being on site and following the furniture through its journey from manufacture to installation! In his spare time, Andrew enjoys playing rugby for his local team.
Duncan McGill
Bench Joiner
Duncan is a Bench Joiner and Storeman. He joined CSK in 2023 and has 10 years previous experience in cabinet making. In his spare time Duncan enjoys cooking for Friends and Family, he collects and restores vintage axes and smokes a pipe! He is also sometimes compared to Gimli from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy!
Les Bell
Spray Painter
Les has his own spray shop & can often be found at car shows at weekends showing off his monster mini!
Scott Threadgall
Spray Painter
Josh Weston
Apprentice
Josh is our new apprentice! He has just finished school and has enrolled in a joinery apprenticeship at Borders college, he goes to college 2 days a week and is enjoying the work/study balance! In his spare time Josh enjoys playing rugby!
Drew Borland
Apprentice
Established in 1980, Countryside Kitchens & Interiors is the brainchild of Shona and Jerry Ponder, the husband-and-wife team who have spent the last 40 years honing their skill for turning houses into homes. In 2016 they welcomed their son Elliot to the business, in 2020 their daughter Susie, and in 2025 their youngest son Cameron, passing their expertise on to the next generation. Supported by a dedicated team of master craftsmen who are equally passionate, Countryside Kitchens design, manufacture and install dream interiors of unparalleled quality.
Shona Ponder
Founder & Creative Director
Shona qualified in Interior Design and has been designing kitchens and interiors for over 40 years. She has a unique gift for translating each client’s vision and personality into the perfect kitchen for their lifestyle.
Jerry Ponder
Founder & Financial Director
With over 40 years of experience in the industry, Jerry is accredited by both Cardiff University Law School as an expert witness and also Aberdeen University School of Law Jerry has also appeared as an industry expert on TV programmes including BBC Watchdog and Rogue Traders.
Elliot Ponder
Production Director
With an eye for design and technical detail, Elliot manages the production side of the business from our facility in Kelso. When he gets any spare time, Elliot, loves the rural lifestyle and sport.
Susie Anderson
Design Director
Susie graduated with a degree in fashion technology and brings her 3D design skills to the business. Susie transforms the ideas, sketches and plans via CAD into working drawings and visuals, bringing your ideas to life. When she is not in the office Susie loves to travel, up into the Scottish Highlands or when possible somewhere warmer.
Cameron Ponder
Marketing Manager
After graduating with a degree in Marketing from Robert Gordon University and spending five years working in Dubai, Cameron has recently returned to the UK with fresh perspective and experience ready to implement his experience into Countryside marketing. When he’s not working, Cameron is developing his craft at drama school.
Karen MacArthur
Showroom & Design Manager
Karen graduated from Napier University with a Bachelor of Design (BDes) in Interior Architecture. She has spent over 15 years designing kitchens and interiors. Karen is a highly creative person and an award-winning designer who enjoys the design and development process, assisting the client and bringing their ideas to life.
Aileen Martin
Showroom Manager
Aileen brings experience from Textiles, Fashion and Home Interiors. Her knowledge and attention to detail are invaluable skills which she brings to Countryside kitchens. Aileen has an eye for anything beautifully designed and crafted. Nothing gets overlooked and often becomes part of an ever expanding art collection.
Nichola Hodgson
Project Manager
Shona qualified in Interior Design and has been designing kitchens and interiors for over 40 years. She has a unique gift for translating each client’s vision and personality into the perfect kitchen for their lifestyle.
Michael Middlemass
Finance Manager
Jodie Martin
Accounts Administrator
Jodie has great organisational skills, lives numbers and has extensive experience working within procurement. Completing her Chartered Institute for Purchasing and Supply MCIPS in 2012. She looks after all the accounts administration and procurement of appliances. When not at work her two children keep her very busy!
Richard Sewell
Lead Joiner & Site Manager
Starting his apprenticeship in 1991 Richard has 33 years joinery experience. He has done everything from workshop manufacturing to house building and has accrued a vast knowledge of joinery and other trades. Over the years he has managed teams to complete an array of projects and continues to carry out this role to his very high standards!
Nick Barnes
Joiner
Paul Smith
Cabinet Maker
Paul is a master craftsman with more than 30 years cabinet making experience. When he’s not creating handmade kitchens you can find him bagging Munro’s or in his own workshop.
Tom Smyth
Cabinet Maker
Russell Hadwin
Cabinet Maker
Carl Fitzgerald
Cabinet Maker
Andrew Lawson
Bench Joiner
Andrew joined the Countryside team in April 2022 and spent two years in the workshop before successfully joining the fitting team. He has enjoyed the challenge of being on site and following the furniture through its journey from manufacture to installation! In his spare time, Andrew enjoys playing rugby for his local team.
Duncan McGill
Bench Joiner
Duncan is a Bench Joiner and Storeman. He joined CSK in 2023 and has 10 years previous experience in cabinet making. In his spare time Duncan enjoys cooking for Friends and Family, he collects and restores vintage axes and smokes a pipe! He is also sometimes compared to Gimli from the Lord of the Rings Trilogy!
Les Bell
Spray Painter
Les has his own spray shop & can often be found at car shows at weekends showing off his monster mini!
Scott Threadgall
Spray Painter
Josh Weston
Apprentice
Josh is our new apprentice! He has just finished school and has enrolled in a joinery apprenticeship at Borders college, he goes to college 2 days a week and is enjoying the work/study balance! In his spare time Josh enjoys playing rugby!
Drew Borland
Apprentice
