The brand was adopted and developed by Matthew Ingle as a business unit within
MFI Furniture Group plc (MFI) in 1995. It started trading with 14 depots. At the same time, the name of MFI was changed to Galiform plc. However, by December 2012 the legacy properties had been reduced by over 80%. In September 2010, Galiform changed its name to Howden Joinery Group plc. Howdens was granted a Royal Warrant as a Supplier of Fitted Kitchens by Appointment to Queen
Elizabeth II in January 2015, and was chosen as one of
The Sunday Times 25 Best Big Companies to Work For in 2020. In July 2017, the company announced the retirement of Matthew Ingle, after twenty two years at the company, and the appointment Andrew Livingston who joined as chief executive in January 2018. In September 2019, Howdens refreshed the creative execution of the brand – with a new logo and the removal of "Joinery" from the brand mark. The brand was listed as a
Business Superbrand in September 2019. In February 2022, the company acquired the solid surface worktop business Sheridan Fabrications as part of its strategy to expand its kitchen offering into the higher-priced sector. In 2023 Howdens opened a permanent expo centre at its Howden site, followed by one at its Raunds site in April 2024, and one at its Howden site in August 2025. ==Operations==