Meet the SBID Awards Product Design Judges for 2022

A hugely experienced interior designer within the high-end hospitality sector, Tony leads a team within SHH’s hospitality arm. He is a creative interior design professional with 20 years’ experience in leading prestigious high-end hospitality, restaurant and residential schemes globally. A client-facing creative and technical designer with an extensive knowledge of the Interior Design process. He is a motivated design leader to develop complex, large and small scaled projects. He believes in a complete multifaceted holistic approach to design that is reflected in the consideration of every experience down to the finest of details.

Carolina has more than a decade of experience on the design and implementation of high-end interior design and architecture projects in London and around the globe. Trained as an architect, she established her own architectural business in her native country Brazil before moving to London 15 years ago. Her passion for design excellence and extensive knowledge in the luxury global market, makes it possible for her to transform any client’s aspirations into a truly bespoke luxurious space. Her architectural background gives her a combination of creative design skills with a wide range of technical knowledge. She is the Creative Director at the award-winning luxury design studio Casa Forma’s and is responsible for delivering leading-edge residential schemes for international high net worth individuals and property developers.

Darren is an Architect and the Chief Executive of international architectural and interior design practice Scott Brownrigg. He has Strategic Board responsibility for the quality of design across the practice and has been at the forefront of many of the practices high-profile projects within the UK and internationally. With experience in a broad range of sectors including commercial, education, residential, hospitality and retail, Darren instigates a fresh enthusiasm for modern architecture, innovative ideas and a sensitive concern for the environment. Darren is an established voice within the design industry, with recent thinking on the future of office design published on a range of media outlets including The Guardian Newspaper, Sky News, ITV and the BBC. More recently he has been working on how to encourage vitality back into our Cities, creating alternative uses for empty retail units and how to provide healthy destinations that support new existing and businesses.

Dr Ning is the President of Wanda Hotels & Resorts. During his tenure at Wanda, he has led the design, construction and operation management of over 100 upscale and luxury hotels. Under his leadership, these hotels have won many prestigious international design awards, including the SBID Awards, Gold Key Awards, IIDA-Best of Asia Pacific Design Awards, Hospitality Design Awards and many more.

Dr Garaj is Head of Brunel Design, where he also teaches on the Professional Design Studio module, a part of the MSc Integrated Product Design programme. He has co-ordinated a number of live project briefs across design fields, with organisations including Cancer Research UK, NHS, Pan Macmillan, Help for Heroes, Friends of the Elderly, Corney & Barrow, Shell, Ibis and BT. Dr Garaj’s research is aimed at design, development and evaluation of innovative systems, products and services, with the focus on digital and digital-physical domains and the application of the latest technologies.

Gary is an architect with a passion for sustainable architecture and has over 30 years continually sought to bridge academic research, teaching and practice to create a sustainable future. In his role as Principal Lead for Science and Technology at HOK, his aim is to deliver a sustainable future not only in the science and technology but across all sectors of the construction industry. Gary has collaborated and led sustainability with a number of leading practices including Wilkinson Eyre, Bennett’s Associates and Hopkins Architects. These collaborations have delivered award winning sustainable buildings across a range of sectors from Higher Education, Academic Research, Residential mixed use, Office and Cultural Buildings. His academic experience includes teaching and research positions at The University of Cambridge, The University of Edinburgh, Robert Gordon University Aberdeen, Heriot Watt University Edinburgh, and Oxford Brookes University. Gary’s honorary positions include: – Appointed Chair of the RIBA Sustainable Futures Group in October 2018. – Appointed Visiting Professor of Sustainable Architecture at Robert Gordons University Aberdeen in 2016. – Past Chairman of the Usable Buildings Trust and BSRIA Soft Landings User Group from 2009 until 2016 His work has been recognized by many awards, including awards from the Civic Trust and the RIBA.

Gill is a dynamic, passionate, and highly motivated Construction Cost and Procurement Professional who has specialised in the Hotel, Hospitality and Residential Sectors, predominantly in the UK and Europe, as well as internationally, including postings in Toronto and Singapore. Currently a Director for Gleeds Cost Management Ltd, and a member of the London Senior Leadership Team, Gill assumes operational responsibility and leadership of the Gleeds Futures & Innovation panel. Gill is committed to the continuous development of the industry and is actively involved in research and Thought Leadership with regular contributions to both in-house and external publications. Gill has had her articles published in journals including Construction Manager and Building Magazine. Gill’s reviews have included topics such as BIM, the Private Rental Sector (PRS / BTR), Residential and Serviced Apartments, Net Zero Carbon and Sustainability.

Hans J. Galutera – Founder and CEO of HG DesignWorks LLC, has recently been nominated and elected on the Board of Education for New York State. Being in the design industry for over 25 years, Hans has been a co-founder and principal of New York-based BG Studio International, Inc. and is the past president of the Board of Directors for the International Interior Design Association IIDA New York Chapter. He is an Advisory Board Member for the International Council for Caring Communities (ICCC-UN Habitat) and a professional member of the Design Institute of Australia (MDIA). Hans is also recognized on the Executive Board for the Society of British International Design (SBID) based in London as the International Education Ambassador. As one of the NYSED Board Members he will serve and be one of the overseer of the district’s affairs (specifically interior design education and licensure). The NYSED Board has specific responsibilities to approve curriculum, employ a superintendent and submit a proposed budget to the district voters for their approval. He will continue to maintain the value of the interior design profession with ongoing outreach with various organizations such NY11+ which is dedicated to promoting public awareness of the interior design profession by providing a platform to showcase student work from prestigious New York State institutions.

Henry is Director of Design at InterContinental Hotels Group. He is responsible for creating the interior design and guest experience for IHG’s Kimpton and Hotel Indigo brands across Europe. Since joining IHG in January 2015, Henry has worked across some of IHG’s most celebrated and award-winning design projects, including the launch of the first Kimpton hotel outside of the Americas – Kimpton De Witt in Amsterdam. He has led the teams responsible for the design of all new Hotel Indigo properties over the last 5 years. As well as designing new hotels in IHG’s pipeline, Henry has worked on more than 20 refurbishment projects across IHG’s existing hotels. Before joining IHG, Henry was Associate Director at for people, and Creative Director at numerous agencies cross London. Henry studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bristol, followed by an MA in Industrial Design at Central Saint Martins. Over the course of his career, he has been a lecturer and agency creative working in a wide variety of sectors from automotive, events, retail, and consumer goods before dedicating his time to hotel interior design.

Herbert has extensive experience of working on complex mixed-use developments on challenging sites. Along with a strong awareness of stakeholder aspirations, he has a proven ability to convert constraints into opportunities. Herbert is a graduate of Westminster University and the Architectural Association in London, and the National University of Singapore. He joined DMA in 1999 as a Project Architect and was appointed a Partner in 2008. In 2018 he secured planning consent for the 252-room Bicester Heritage hotel, on a former RAF base in the heart of “motorsport valley”, close to a number of Formula One teams and the Silverstone Circuit. More recently in November 2019, he achieved consent for the third and final major phase in the refurbishment and expansion of the Mandeville Hotel in Marylebone, London. Herbert has also brought his hospitality experience into the multi¬family residential/PRS sector in Canary Wharf, and has been the design leader for several hospitality schemes in North Africa and Nairobi.

Rigby & Rigby CEO Iain Johnson has been a pivotal part the growth of the firm since its inception, dynamically executing the vision of a truly integrated design and delivery studio with full-service capabilities. A champion of the studio’s expansion, he has helped it to become a leading multiaward- winning name in ultra-prime delivery. Accredited in every division, the firm’s extensive expertise extends across development management, architecture, interior design, construction delivery and private client services, to create the most exceptional properties in the world. Johnson leads and oversees the group’s operational strategy and creative division – ensuring the brands individual identity, heritage and expertise is maintained and delivered as a complimentary offering, he is also creating collaborations with some of the world’s best architects and interior design studios providing clients a unique opportunity of choice within the full-service delivery model. At the heart of Rigby & Rigby’s approach is Johnson’s profound commitment to the client experience. Architecturally trained with 20 years of industry leadership and experience, Iain’s ability to understand every facet of the design process ensures he is perfectly positioned to support clients throughout their development journey. This includes Rigby & Rigby’s award-winning Special Projects division, where Iain leads a dedicated development and delivery team undertaking the most complex signature new build and heritage restoration projects, requiring an additional level of attention and care. Creatively Iain’s passion lays in driving innovation through research-based methodology, influencing the architectural and interior design studios to be more experimental and to maximise the client experience and enrich the user journey. The product being perfectly resolved residences, with a style defined as understated refined luxury, delivered with a service that is second to none.

Katharine Pooley is one of the most sought-after interior designers working internationally today. Recently named ‘British Interior Designer of the Decade’, ‘International Designer in Asia of the Year’, and ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’, her design ethos is both highly respected and uniquely far reaching. Her eponymous Knightsbridge Design Studio was established over 15 years ago and continues to create unmatched luxury interior designs for landmark commercial and residential projects in London and Worldwide for the most discerning clients. Overseeing her team of 47 interior designers and architects Katharine’s highly personal approach – she immerses herself in every detail of her client’s complex project – ensures a loyal international fan base for her impressive designs. Katharine’s aesthetic is very much client driven and she prides herself on being a complete design chameleon.

With over 17 years’ experience in the luxury interiors industry Letitia heads-up Harrods Interior Design, a multi-disciplinary bespoke design service by Harrods. In her previous role within the Harrods Home buying team, Letitia worked on redeveloping the home and furniture offering to provide carefully curated products that hero provenance, craftsmanship and heritage in helping to shape Harrods Home into the exciting design hub it is today. Letitia and her team of design experts travel the world in search of beautiful designs, the latest trends and the highest quality fabrics and products. Letitia’s design ethos centres around two key factors: relevance to the client and their lifestyle, and harmony of the design with its surrounding environment.

Lucy is a Design Principal at 1508 London, an interior and architecture design studio that creates exceptional spaces worldwide. Specialising in exclusive residential, hospitality and branded developments, the designs she produces are not formulaic or style driven, but derived from measured principles. Originally trained as an architect at the university of Toronto, where she developed strong skills of spatial awareness, conceptual approach to design and passion for materiality, Lucy has honed her skills through her transatlantic experience working alongside some of the world’s leading figures in design, delivering luxurious private residences, hotels and developments for a discerning international clientele. With over 15 years of experience in the hospitality and luxury residential design industry, Lucy leads her teams at 1508 in realising prestigious homes, hotels and premium branded developments globally. At the heart of her work is a passion for harmony, purity of materials, understated luxury and bespoke details that lend a unique character and authenticity to every project.

Maria is an established thought-leader within the hospitality design world, admired for her roll call of exceptional and award-winning projects, sought out by discerning property owners and respected for the value she brings to all her work. She is as confident in imagining large, imposing spaces as she is in creating cosy niches; whether designing the boldly contemporary or within the classical genre, she draws on location and cultural heritage to create something unique. An architect by training and an interior designer by choice, she combines visionary use of space with design that reaches out beyond trend, that is commercially astute, innovative and delightfully surprising. Maria established MKV Design in London in 2000 after an early career which had taken her from Athens to Milan and onto the UK. Since then, she has cultivated a business which has worked across Europe, in the Middle East and in Africa. Current/recent projects include: Bürgenstock Resort in Switzerland; Costa Navarino, Greece; Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Budapest; the Sheraton Grand London Park Lane; Grand Hyatt Athens; Mykonos Grand Hotel & Resort; Athens Capital Centre Hotel – MGallery Collection; Grand Hyatt Hotel & Residences, Abu Dhabi; and Hôtel Royal Savoy in Lausanne.

Samantha Drummond has lived and worked in Asia, Europe and the Middle East as well as in her native Australia. In the process, she has delivered design management and interior design in excess of US$25 billion, working alongside clients and hospitality visionaries to create resorts, restaurants and bars that are game-changing for their country and she has collaborated with the elite amongst architects, artists, chefs and luxury brands. In 2016, Sam established her own interior design firm, Habitus Design Group, which now has studios in London, Singapore and Denmark, and she is currently forming Husk, bringing together strategists, Michelin star chefs and design specialists to devise and deliver F&B concepts across the Globe. Sam’s wide skill set, design instinct and appetite for innovation mean that her current projects range from two new resorts in the Philippines and a hospitality development in Cape Verde to a fine dining restaurant and an exclusive menswear store in Copenhagen.

Sharon Lillywhite is Founding Partner of Oliver Burns, a multi-award-winning architectural interior design studio that thoughtfully designs the world’s finest homes. Working across an exclusive portfolio of international turnkey projects, the team has a world- class reputation for bespoke commissions, super- prime developments and elegant spaces that are synonymous with a luxury lifestyle. Their exceptional architectural, creative, and development credentials together with the highest levels of personal service, enable them to act as trusted advisors to discerning private clients, developers and luxury brands. The concept of ‘Thoughtful Luxury’ underpins their approach. It is reflected in their designs, from the concepts they develop, through to the thoughtfully layered details they create with artisans and craftsmen. It is demonstrated in the unique understanding they have of their discerning clients and translated in their vision of client care. This approach ensures that all of their projects are thoughtfully designed, thoughtfully built and thoughtfully finished.

Stella Gittins is the Co-Founder of AGC, London’s fastest-growing portfolio of international award-winning Interior Design companies. Creating the benchmark in luxury living, the Accouter Group of Companies which is home to Accouter Design, A. LONDON and BoxNine7, delivers world-class interior architectural and furnishing services to the global property market and private clients. With 15 years of experience mentoring and directing diverse teams within the field, Stella has spent 7 years building AGC which has been voted one of the best places to work in property on multiple occasions. Taking a lead creative role for the Group, Stella is responsible for all aspects of brand and design and has published four bespoke publications that discuss every corner of luxury life. Featuring the inspiration behind Accouter Design’s schemes and collaborating with iconic brands such as Rolls Royce and William & Son, the fifth publication is due for launch in 2020.

Terry joined Richmond International in 2002 with a background in leisure and retail consultancy. He has travelled the world and was based in the Far East and Middle East during the early years of his career. Now a Director of Richmond International, Terry is responsible for the company management, liaising with clients and has a very hands-on role throughout the design process. Terry has steered a range of Richmond International’s most notable projects with multinational brands and independent owners that have been honoured with awards and accolades across the hospitality design space, including Richmond International’s successful cruise ship design projects. Taking a personal and open approach to projects and forming great relationships with clients is integral to Terry’s way of working. He takes the time to understand the client’s needs, by discussing the brief, interpreting ideas and sketching concepts to ensure Richmond International’s high standard of work is delivered.