My journey has always been rooted in creativity, communication, and storytelling. I began my career in publishing, drawn to the power of ideas, aesthetics, and the ability to shape culture through content. That early experience taught me not only the value of narrative and editorial vision, but also the importance of understanding an audience, a skill that has stayed with me throughout my career.

Moving into my role at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, it felt like a natural progression. Here, creativity is everywhere, not just in the products and interiors, but in how we connect people, foster innovation, and celebrate craftsmanship. I’m driven by a desire to champion excellence in design, to build platforms that support both emerging talent and established brands, and to curate experiences that inspire.

Ultimately, what drives me is the belief that design has the power to enhance lives not just aesthetically, but emotionally and functionally. That purpose continues to guide everything I do.

My background as the publishing director of House & Garden has certainly helped in my role at the Design Centre; I was used to building loyalties with readership and transferred those principles to the physical space of Design Centre, Cheslea Harbour. They are worlds that are exciting and fast-paced: setting goals, growing audiences, maximising revenue streams, rolling out new initiatives and shining a spotlight on exceptional talent are a common thread. 

We are the home to over 130 international showrooms, so it is incredibly inspiring to be at the forefront of new collection launches when it comes to our flagship shows London Design Week and Focus. The Design Centre not only has its pulse firmly on global design directions, but it is setting them. We want to encourage visitors to discover great design, and support those doing it best: from big name brands to emerging makers, as well as highlight the skills they use to make beautiful pieces of lasting value. 

My editorial background deeply informs how I lead today. In publishing, you're constantly curating, not just content, but ideas, voices, and aesthetics that resonate with your audience. That same instinct for curation is central to the Design Centre, where we're shaping not only a physical destination but a creative narrative that speaks to designers, brands, and consumers alike.

Shepel Home Bar by Toni Black of Blacksheep at WOWhouse 2025

Photo James McDonald

I have always dreamt of doing a showhouse ever since I arrived at the Design Centre.

WOW!house is a showhouse rather than a real home, which means that its designers are able to let their imaginations fly, perhaps going bigger and bolder than they might for a real-life client. Each year it’s brimming with ideas and inspiration, as well as common threads that tell us a great deal about the design zeitgeist. The concept remains unchanged, but every WOW!house is different. It’s an immersive journey like no other. Given a white box, designers can layer, colour, pattern and texture, adding in carefully chosen furniture, lighting, art and objets. Details can make or break a scheme, but they are often the things that get lost when looking at a room online. This is why thousands flock to see in person what is normally out of reach - the work of masters in their field. 

Since its inception, WOW!house has always supported charitable initiatives that make a difference. In the first year, fundraising for Centrepoint was enhanced by a mentoring programme for six young people. In 2023, WOW!house’s support for TP Caring Spaces raised enough funds for a full redesign of the Brook Green Community Centre. United in Design has been the chosen charity partner for the past two years and the partnership with the Design Centre will continue through 2026.

Photo by James McDonald

The Design Centre has changed so much since I came on board, but the vision of the owners means we continue to evolve. Some twenty years ago they saw its potential, transforming it from a soulless site to a thriving commercial and creative hub, cementing our position as the powerhouse of design. Today, we’re still looking to the future; investing in our infrastructure, attracting more companies (we’ve seen a rise in international flagship showrooms opening here), and thinking of new ways for visitors enjoy all we have to offer.

The Design Centre’s most important role today is to be a catalyst, a place where creativity, commerce and collaboration intersect. We bring together the world’s leading brands, artisans and makers under one roof, providing unrivalled access to design knowledge, inspiration and innovation.

We’ve created a wonderful environment that people want to come to, and businesses want to be part of. From an extraordinary showhouse to unmissable design events like Focus and London Design Week, we have an unmatched reach as an international design destination. We’re bricks, mortar and beyond.

Artorius Faber Entrance Courtyard by Alexander Hoyle at WOW!house 2025

Photo by James Macdonald

The pace of change in design is extraordinary, and I believe the next five years will be defined by three powerful forces. First, technology will continue to transform how we conceive and experience interiors – from AI-driven design tools to virtual and augmented reality that allow clients to visualise spaces with unparalleled accuracy. Smart materials and connected living will also integrate seamlessly into our homes, making design both more intelligent and more human.

Second, sustainability will no longer be optional but essential. Designers and brands are embracing circularity, regenerative materials, and transparent supply chains, reflecting a growing demand for interiors that are as responsible as they are beautiful. At Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, we see how the industry is innovating with materials, low-impact manufacturing, and new approaches to craft that honour both people and planet.

Finally, personalisation and storytelling will play a central role. As the world becomes more digital, clients are seeking deeply personal, tactile, and emotionally resonant spaces. The future of design lies in blending heritage craftsmanship with future-facing innovation to create interiors that are sustainable, technologically attuned, and above all, human-centred

Samuel Heath Bathroom by Laura Hammett at WOW!house 2025

Photo by James McDonald

One of the most rewarding moments of my career has been bringing WOW!house to life at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. From the very beginning, the idea was to create something that went far beyond a traditional design showcase - a fully immersive showhouse that celebrates creativity, craftsmanship and collaboration at the highest level. Seeing world-class designers come together to transform individual rooms into extraordinary experiences, and then witnessing the public’s reaction, the joy, the surprise, the inspiration they take away, has been incredibly fulfilling.

What makes it especially meaningful is that WOW!house has become a platform that has put the Design Centre on the map as a destination, profiling all the wonderful brands (over 600!) that we have here under one roof. A career highlight is when WOW!house was described as a ‘game changer’ the moment it launched!

Alongside this, WOW!house has become a platform not just for established names, but also for emerging talent and artisanal makers, giving them visibility and opportunity on a global stage. To know that this initiative, which started as a vision, is now inspiring conversations, connections and possibilities within the design community has been a highlight of my career. It’s proof that when creativity is nurtured and shared, the results can be truly transformative.

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced as a leader in the creative sector was navigating the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour through the COVID-19 pandemic, a time when our core strength as a physical hub for design, collaboration, and community was suddenly compromised.

The creative industry thrives on human connection, inspiration through experience, and physical interaction with materials and spaces. With our doors closed, showrooms limited, and major events cancelled or postponed, we faced not just an operational challenge, but an existential one: how do we continue to serve as the heartbeat of the design community without the ability to bring people together in person?

We responded by accelerating our digital transformation. We created virtual showrooms, launched online talks and design series, and supported our resident brands in reaching audiences remotely. We also maintained close communication with our community, offering reassurance, flexibility, and collaboration rather than retreating. The goal was to preserve not just commercial activity, but creative momentum and connection.

Overcoming this challenge required adaptive leadership, balancing empathy with decisiveness, tradition with innovation. Today, we are stronger for it. The crisis forced us to diversify our channels, embrace hybrid models for events and engagement, and reinforce our role as a leader not just in design, but in the future of how design is experienced. This also really cemented the importance and role of a physical space to host events, see and feel products, and connect with your peers.

Fromental Drawing Room by Chad Dorsey at WOW!house 2025

Photo by James McDonald

The design industry today is full of opportunity, but also fast-moving and highly competitive. For emerging designers and entrepreneurs, I would suggest you stay true to your creative identity while remaining open to collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning. Authenticity is what will set you apart. Secondly, build relationships. Design is as much about people as it is about products, and networks of mentors, peers and clients can open doors that talent alone cannot. This is why networking is such an important element of the events we host at the Design Centre.

Finally, keep one eye firmly on the future. Whether it’s sustainability, digital innovation or shifting consumer expectations, those who anticipate change and adapt with agility will thrive.

For our part as Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, we want to help people discover next-generation talent. Every year, we invite rising stars to design rooms for WOW!house and we are proud to put their exceptional talents on the map. We seek out emerging designers for our ‘Ones to Watch’ pages in The Journal, our glossy magazine, and ensure exciting names on our radar are given top billing through our talks programme.

At the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, we see British design as both a heritage and a living, evolving force. Our role is to champion the creativity, craftsmanship, and innovation that define British design, while also positioning it within a broader, international dialogue.

We believe the future of design lies in collaboration across cultures, disciplines, and geographies. That’s why we curate events, exhibitions, and partnerships that bring together the best of British design with global talent (WOW!house being the perfect example of this!). Our flagship events such as London Design Week and Focus not only showcase British excellence but also the collections from our international showrooms.

Our talks programmes invite voices from around the world, fostering cross-pollination of ideas and practices.

By providing a world-class platform for both established and emerging designers, we ensure that the Design Centre remains a hub of innovation and inspiration. It’s this balance between celebrating our roots and embracing the global design community that drives our success and relevance in a fast-changing world.