School of Design Industry Advisory Group launched

News

Posted on

West Dean’s KLC School of Design are pleased to announce the formation of their Industry Advisory Group.

As Head of School, Geoffrey Makstutis, explains “KLC School of Design has a long history of working closely with the industry to ensure that graduates meet the needs of employers. We are proud to have such an illustrious group of people in our Industry Advisory Group; representing different sectors, scales and types of employment. We look to the Industry Advisory Group to help us continue to grow and develop in ways that will provide both our graduates and employers with the best talent to meet the demands of today and the future.”

The members of the Industry Advisory Group will meet with representatives from KLC School of Design throughout the year, to explore the issues that employers are facing, what the future may bring, and how best to design curriculum and student engagement activities to develop the knowledge and skill that graduates will need.

The group consists of:

Adam Knight. Credit Amy Heycock

Adam Knight, Founder – Nefarious Design

At Nefarious Design, we create bold, original spaces tailored to each client’s personality and lifestyle. With a foundation in lateral thinking, unique colour choices and meticulous attention to detail, we believe The Devil is in the Detail — every element is intentional, functional and beautiful.

Founded in 2020 by Adam Knight, whose background spans Food Technology and Creative Advertising, Nefarious brings a practical yet imaginative approach to design. We work across all budgets and stages, always ensuring the process is fun, honest and collaborative. Our goal? To turn our clients’ visions into joyful, one-of-a-kind spaces they truly love.

Alex Dauley, Founder – Dauley Designs 

Alex Dauley, Founder – Dauley Designs 

Originally from Wales but now residing in London, Alex founded Dauley Designs in 2010 creating homes with a contemporary, modern design aesthetic, coupled with an appreciation for traditional architecture and detail driven service, Dauley Design creates considered interiors designed to stand the test of time. 

Alex is making a huge impact in the Interior Design world as the changing face of interiors, opening up this currently insular industry to a new diverse audience alongside tackling the issues of diversity within Interior Design as co-founder of charitable organisation United in Design. Founded in 2020 with fellow designer Sophie Ashby, United in Design has created several programmes aimed at supporting black, Asian and minority ethnic groups in the interior design industry.  

 

Anahita Rigby, Founder – Anahita Rigby Design 

Anahita Rigby, Founder – Anahita Rigby Design 

Anahita Rigby is a London-based international interior and architectural design studio working on a range of well-considered residential and commercial projects. 

Anahita's background is in both art and architecture. Studying first at Central Saint Martins, the Byam Shaw School of Art then achieving a Bachelor's of architecture at Westminster University thereafter gaining a Master's degree of architecture at UCL's The Bartlett.  

Anahita’s design philosophy is to create beautiful, liveable, and deeply personal spaces for her clients. Every project is unique and completely client-led, which means as a studio, we listen, understand, and respect our client's desires to give them a truly one-of-a-kind space that reflects their identity and their needs. 

Audrey Carden, Partner – Carden Cunietti 

Audrey Carden, Partner – Carden Cunietti 

Interior Design Practice Carden Cunietti is based in London and has been established for 29 years by partners Audrey Carden and Eleanora Cunietti.   

Audrey Carden and Eleanora Cunietti met in a London antique fair while both were scouting for distinctive pieces for clients. They established the much-loved Carden Cunietti store in London’s Notting Hill in 1996. Their dramatic, eclectic accessories and interiors fittings from around the world became renowned. 

They are known for their commitment to listening to their client’s wants, needs and desires, designing artfully with an eye for dramatic, luxurious textures and accessories, and seeing all stages of each installation come to fruition. 

Henry Prideaux, Founder – Henry Prideaux Interior Design

Henry Prideaux, Founder – Henry Prideaux Interior Design 

Founded in 2014, and recently relocated in a newly refurbished studio by the River Thames in the heart of Twickenham, Henry Prideaux Interior Design is a small, independent practice offering professional design services for private residential and boutique commercial clients.  

Our aim is to create genuine homes that are both beautiful and practical, designed with a deep understanding of our clients’ lifestyle needs. Henry is known for creating elegant and authentic spaces that blend different design styles, preserving original features in traditional schemes or embracing a more characterful approach for contemporary spaces. His approach combines timeless classics with a modern twist, resulting in interiors that feel fresh and enduring. 

Linda Levine, Founder – LLI Design 

Linda Levine, Founder – LLI Design 

LLI Design was founded over 20 years ago by Linda Levene, whose creative background spans interior design, fashion, textiles, and landscape design. This multidisciplinary foundation is at the heart of the studio’s ethos: delivering beautifully crafted, individual homes for discerning clients. 

Based in Highgate, London, LLI Design specialises in high-end residential projects throughout London and the Home Counties. They are recognised for their tailored, personalised approach and their ability to bring a client’s vision to life as a cohesive, inspiring reality. 

Lori Pinkerton-Rolet, Director – Park Grove Design 

Lori Pinkerton-Rolet, Director – Park Grove Design 

Lori has been Director of Park Grove Design since 1993 with a strong portfolio in senior living and dementia design in addition to hotels and other sectors.  

She was recipient of the 2012 BIID Award of Merit and is a Past President of the British Institute of Interior Design, and a member of the International IIDA. She holds an Aging in Place qualification (CAPS) from the United States and assists in drafting the RIBA professional services contracts for the interior design industry.  

Lori is founder, researcher and host of the Third Age Design podcast, with listeners in 64 countries. 

Mike Durrant, Associate Partner – Sheppard Robson ID:SR 

With over 20 years of industry experience, Mike has expertise in creating exemplary workplace solutions, designing across a range of sectors and scales, to take projects from the initial briefing stages through to delivery. More recently oversees a broad range of live workplace projects at various stages across multiple sites by sharing knowledge and is responsible for supporting a shared workplace vision and delivering outstanding results for some of Sheppard Robson ID:SR’s long-term clients.  

Mike is also ID:SR’s Group Director responsible for resourcing amongst other managerial planning and reporting. Prior to joining Sheppard Robson, Mike worked as a senior project interior designer in several top international practices on projects across a diverse range of sectors and schemes in the UK, Europe, and around the world. His extensive client list includes BBC, PwC, KPMG, Royal Dutch Shell, HSBC, FCO and Westfield. 

Romanos Brihi, Co-founder – Studio Vero 

Romanos Brihi, Co-founder – Studio Vero 

Studio Vero is a London-based interior design practice founded in 2014 by Romanos Brihi and Venetia Rudebeck. The studio is renowned for creating thoughtfully composed, distinctive spaces that feel as effortless as they are refined. 

Born in London to Anglo-Lebanese parents, Romanos brings a truly global perspective to his work. After living in Paris, he trained at the KLC School of Design in Chelsea and went on to spend several years at Finchatton. Drawing from diverse cultures and landscapes, his style celebrates intriguing and versatile pieces; bringing together a curated mix of antiques, contemporary design and art. 

Sarah Ward, Co-founder – Ward & Co 

Sarah Ward, Co-founder – Ward & Co 

Sarah and Rosie Ward are a mother-daughter interior design duo based in Soho, London. With over 30 years of experience and a number of design awards, they are dedicated to creating soulful spaces that feel authentic and deeply connected to their clients. Each project presents an opportunity to tell a unique story, shaped by an intimate understanding of individual tastes and needs. Their bespoke approach emphasises getting to know clients, ensuring every space is both personal and meaningful. 

Ward & Co. is a team of multilingual, highly skilled interior designers with extensive expertise, capable of delivering diverse projects with creativity and precision. From private residences to high-end hospitality spaces, we craft designs that are both purposeful and beautiful. With a strong presence in the UK and Caribbean, and projects spanning London, Suffolk, the Alps, and coastal retreats, we work globally to adapt seamlessly to a range of styles and scales—creating spaces that truly reflect their unique purpose and character. 

Susie Rumbold, Founder & Creative Director – Tessuto

Susie Rumbold, Founder & Creative Director – Tessuto

Established in 1993, Tessuto is an award winning, technically advanced, architectural interior design studio with experience across a variety of industry sectors including luxury private client residential work, high end multi residential sales and PRS developments, hotels, hospitality, care home, workplace and heritage including grade I listed. 

Susie is a Past President of British Institute of Interior Design and a qualified Aging in Place specialist. She researches and hosts the monthly Interior Design Business podcast and is in demand as a public speaker and lecturer on interior design practice and issues. 

She consulted with the RIBA in the development of the joint RIBA/BIID professional services contracts, and in 2022 published the BIID Interior Design Project Book, the industry standard text for professional practice in UK interior design. 

Most recently she has been working to establish the first UK, degree-level interior design apprenticeship to further inclusivity within the profession. 

Wendy Cooper, Co-founder – Gold Canary FF&E 

Wendy Cooper, Co-founder – Gold Canary FF&E 

Maristella Nonnis and Wendy Cooper met in 2011 working together designing luxury hotels and resorts for some of the world’s largest hotel brands.  Together they have over 30 years of experience in the industry and, in 2023 decided to co-found London based Gold Canary FF&E; after realising their shared vision to deliver bespoke designs with passion, enthusiasm, and efficiency. 

Adaptable and willing to take on any challenge, they have worked on the procurement of projects across multiple disciplines and countries including private residences for ultra-high net worth individuals across the globe; loft style show apartments in Tribeca; multi-unit workspaces across the EMEA region.  

Their wealth of technical knowledge, design background, commercial acumen, project management skills and extensive international experience together with their strong relationships with clients and trusted suppliers, allows them to provide a reliable client service, meeting every budget and timeline. 

Scott Maddux, Co-founder – Maddux Design 

Scott Maddux, Co-founder – Maddux Design 

Maddux Creative are an award-winning multi-disciplinary interior design studio with offices in London and New York. Founded in 2011 by Scott Maddux and Jo leGleud with a vision to create stunning interiors with a timeless quality. Through innovative residential projects and product designs, Maddux Creative leads the contemporary design conversation internationally. 

Maddux Creative’s mission is to create homes that are an extension of their inhabitants, believing that history and modernity, imagination and rigour should coexist. Scott and Jo lead on all design projects and are central in all client relationships. The studio goes beyond the superficial and aesthetic, creating projects with relevance, depth, and warmth and works to bring their client’s ideas to life via a direct, personal process to best identify their needs and firmly believes successful projects are rooted in collaboration. The team is made up of talented experts with knowledge of art history, architecture, design, project management, and restoration. 

More like this

Categories