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The Executive Board is the heart of SBID; the principle decision makers of the organisation, who are responsible for working towards title recognition for the interior design industry, change accreditation policies and steering direction for The Society of British & International Design.
The Executive Board is committed to creating a unified approach to business decisions, listening to senior leaders and heads of department who provide feedback not only from internal discussions but also from SBID members. All decisions made by the Executive Board are based feedback as well as the latest research from the industry, stakeholders and consumers.
SBID CEO
Legal
Finance
Intellectual Property
Events
Media
Vanessa is the Founder of SBID, she is an independent, internationally recognised award-winning interior designer. She regularly speaks on business development and finance overseas on behalf of the UK government for the creative industries. Vanessa received an OBE from the Queen, recommended by the Prime Ministers office for services to Interior Design and the UK Economy. She was also awarded an honorary Doctorate of Design in recognition of her achievements to the profession and education of interior design from Southampton Solent University.
Andrew has been a lawyer since 1988 and has been a Partner at Clifford Chance LLP throughout the majority of his working life. Specialising in major infrastructure projects and property development work, his expertise is grounded in Private Finance Initiative and Public-Private Partnerships (PFI/PPP).
Basit is an ACCA (Associate of Chartered Certified Accountants) and received a MBA in Financial Management and BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting.
Mark Engelman is a barrister who has acted for entities such as Apple Inc, Alexander McQueen, Asos, Super Dry and Harvard University in their intellectual disputes before all courts. He holds academic positions at St. Edmunds Cambridge and Notre Dame Universities and is also a Master of the Bench of Gray's Inn. Mark is standing Counsel in Intellectual Property Issues for SBID.
Lavinia is Manager of the SBID International Design Awards. She has been responsible for the strategic development and successful delivery of the Awards program and affiliated events from 2011. She has a Master’s degree in History of Art from the University of Edinburgh.
Gerald Bowey is the Chief Executive Officer of International Building Press with over 40 years’ experience in business-to-business marketing communications and brand awareness for sectors such as industrial relations, insurance and instrumentation to architecture, property and the built environment.
An admired leader of a design genre holds a one year honorary title of SBID President
Each President, appointed by the Executive Board, is in their own right, an independent pioneer and trailblazer championing industry improvement and design excellence. A President has the skill set and tenacity to further the vision of SBID in setting and raising standards of the profession of interior design.
Each one year term is supported by the immediate Past President for continuity and President Elect to support the President in office.
SBID President
SBID Vice President
Tom defines interdisciplinary design with a degree in graphic, industrial, and interior design. He applies this philosophy to his studio practice and consultancy of over three decades, marquardt+, designing corporate/commercial interiors and high end showrooms. He Tom has also been a Design Principal for HDR and Vice President, Director of Interiors for HOK.
Chris is an award-winning Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Chartered Architect with over 22 years experience creating highly considered and finely crafted interiors for the residences of the most discerning clients. Chris cultivated his holistic design approach; combining Architecture and Interior Design to create beautifully conceived and exquisitely delivered residences for clients who appreciate the value of design excellence.
Ensuring creativity with a commercial edge
The Advisory Board comprises of experts; each a leader in their field of expertise. Their experience covers all areas of business, ensuring we remain at the fore of an increasingly global business environment.
Chief Fire Inspector, Westminster Council
Lawyer /Architect/ Chairman of Planning
Senior Vice President, Unilever Prestige
Twice-past President of RIBA
Sustainability
David has been a Fire Safety Inspector with London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority (LFEPA) for almost 30 years. He has represented the Fire Authority at the British Standards Institute (BSI).
Eva is the Chairman of the Planning and Environment Committee of the London Borough of Barnet. She is also assistant Cabinet member of Housing and was also a former Mayor of the London Borough of Barnet.
Vasso has over 25 years of diverse international experience managing complex networks of global brands and teams covering multiple regions. She also has broad experience in innovation and big idea/brand development.
The only architect to ever have been twice elected to be the President of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), Owen is also a former Chairman of the Architects Registration Board.
Niall became a director of the Board of SBID in 2010 when he was Chief Operating Officer of BRE Group creating the first link with an interior design body due to his significant operational experience in retail management. BRE has since become a charity and Niall is a freelance global consultant. In his previous role at M&S he was involved in developing the company’s approach to sustainable retailing in the built environment.
Providing specialist skills and knowledge for growth
Our experts have solid industry knowledge and experience in a wide range of commercial and creative areas. Their guidance helps us to operate at the highest levels across the broad spectrum of interior design
IIDA, Assoc. AIA, Assoc. RIBA, Assoc. ASID Regional Managing Principal
Law - Specialism IP & The Arts
SBID National Press
Founder of David Chang Design Associates International Ltd
Writer and Editor
Financial Executive at EU Commission
Operations Director, British Vispring
Marketing Manager Camira Fabrics
Marketing Manager, Karndean Design Flooring
Ken is currently serving on Gensler’s Board of Directors and Management Committee. As a Co-Managing Principal of Gensler’s Southeast Region and past Co-Managing Principal of Gensler’s U.K., EMEA and Gulf Regions, Ken is considered a global expert on workplace design and planning, particularly for law firms.
Suzi, a litigator at Mishcon de Reya LLP, advises a wide variety of clients across a range of industries on reputational, intellectual property, contentious trust and general commercial issues. Prior to her legal career, Suzi worked for the international luxury concierge service, Quintessentially and as a football agent licensed by the English FA.
Helen is a journalist and author who writes about design and decoration for the luxury sector, including the FT’s award-winning ‘How To Spend It’ magazine. She also runs her own art consultancy service, London Connoisseur.
David Chang, founder of David Chang Design Associates International Ltd, registered professional members of NCIDQ, SBID, ASID, IIDA, has over 25 years of experience in hospitality and residential interior design and management in both North America and Asia Pacific.
The editor of eSociety, SBID’s quarterly member’s magazine, Eleanor is keen to spread the word that design can have a positive impact on everyone's lives. With a background in journalism, she edits books and magazines, and writes about contemporary creativity and design heritage.
Giuseppe focuses on sustainable architecture and interior design, building commercial links between the UK and Italy. He has helped to promote a number of international expositions including the Salone del Mobile in Milan.
With 30 years at Vispring, Chris has been at the forefront of the company’s move to use 100 per cent Platinum Certificated British fleece wool throughout the collection.
As one of Camira’s environmental ambassadors, Ian has helped the company gain numerous environmental awards, including a Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development.
In his role at Karndean, Alex works closely with the Commercial Sales Director and spends his time with customers and collaborates with industry partners to promote good design and the use of new materials.
Supporting our members at a local level
SBID promotes industry standards and the value of training to professional interior designers at all levels. Our ten regional offices in the UK and our international office in Ukraine each have a regional director that understands the local culture, threats and opportunities of their region. They represent SBID locally across the UK & internationally to act as your local point of contact for networking with interior design professionals.
If you are interested in events in this region please email [email protected]
The Society of British & International Design (SBID) was founded in 2009 by Dr Vanessa Brady, OBE.
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By forging regional, national and international partnerships, SBID works to protect, promote and celebrate interior design.
Collectively we have the experience, ability and tenacity to create a valued industry voice locally, nationally and around the world.
Join SBID
Find out more about our flexible membership structure.
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