Designers, hoteliers and architects reflect on what Brit List means to them

Hamish Kilburn
  • 0

As the 2018 Brit List award ceremony fast approaches, Hotel Designs caught up with last year’s winners in order to investigate just how important it is to recognise Britain’s best interior designers, hoteliers and architects…

Last year, Hotel Designs brought you the inaugural Brit List, a nationwide search for the top 25 interior designers and top 25 hoteliers in Britain. The task to find Britain’s best took our editorial team and judges on a journey to find hidden gems in somewhat unexpected corners of the UK while also allowed the team to meet the world-class talent that is keeping Britain’s hotel design industry alive and ahead of the curve.

“Firstly, this year’s list will be 25 names longer, as the team behind The Brit List have included architects in the mix in order to complete the triangle.”

Taking place on November 22 at BEAT London, this year, the Brit List, which this year welcomes the British Institute of Interior Design as an industry partner, is back with a bang with added sparkle. Firstly, this year’s list will be 25 names longer to bring the total to 75 leaders and visionaries, as the team behind The Brit List have included architects in the mix in order to complete the triangle. With the aim to recognise the most exceptional designs that have helped to keep Britain the international design hub it is today, The Brit List this year will also award six individual awards, which are as follows:

  • Inspiration in Design – Innovative use of Technology
  • Inspiration in Design – Boutique Hotelier
  • Inspiration in Design – Interior Designer of the Year
  • Inspiration in Design – Architect of the Year
  • The Eco Award
  • Outstanding Contribution to the Hotel Industry

With Britain being known as a congested island full of hotel designs talent, we went behind the scenes to find out what the Brit List means for some of our previous winners:

“Inclusion on the 2017 Brit List was a tremendous honour for myself, as well as a powerful recognition of the hard work of my colleagues, and each of the teams at Bespoke properties across the country,” said Robin Sheppard who is the Chairman of Bespoke Hotels. “It is an accolade that recognises not only commercial influence, but the wider design-led and holistic impact an individual has made within our industry.” Sheppard, who in the last few years launched the Bespoke Access Awards in order to support design catering for all guests, was a worthy winner for his dedication to the hotel industry as a whole.

“Being nominated for the Brit List is the highest accolade.”

Since winning in last year’s Interior Designer category, Dexter Moren from Dexter Moren Associates has unveiled a number of cutting-edge new hotel projects. “Dexter Moren Associates finds that the high level to which British Design is revered internationally is a great marketing tool for our practice, both in the UK and abroad, and being nominated for the Brit List is the highest accolade.”

RPW Design’s Managing Director, Ariane Steinbeck was also included in last year’s list for . “As a leading hospitality interior design practice, we are always thrilled to be associated with The Brit List, which provides British designers, hoteliers and architects with a fantastic opportunity to be recognised as exceptional within their field,” said Steinbeck. “This year marks our 30th anniversary as a creative and unique tour de force on the London design scene and our passion for quality, chic and function continues to be at the forefront of our identity and throughout our portfolio of global projects. This year, we completed the creation of The Capital Suite at the InterContinental London Park Lane, are under construction with projects in Hungary, Bulgaria, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Malta and soon, Bahrain and hopefully a floating project very soon.  We look forward to seeing the nominations this year and wish all practices the best of luck.”

How to attend this year’s Brit List

If you are a supplier to the hospitality industry looking to meet the top hoteliers, interior designers and hoteliers at The Brit List, click here to book your place.

If you are a delegate to the hospitality industry (architect, designer or hotelier) and would like to attend The Brit List 2018, click here to book your place.

To discuss the various sponsorship packages available, please contact Phoebe Kasapi on +44(0)1992 374059

BRIT LIST 2018 Industry partner: British Institute of Interior Design

 

Hamish Kilburn / 27.09.2018

Share

  • 0

You might also like

Fun fact: I’m usually the person friends rely on to organise trips, schedules, and group plans.

Workhighlights: Successfully coordinating events from planning through to delivery and seeing everything come together on the day.

Fun fact: xxxxxxxxxxxxx

Work highlights: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Fun fact: People tell Sienna she gives off Bridget Jones vibes, and she loves to bake, always making sure there are shortbreads floating around the office

Work highlights: Sienna joined Forum Events & Media Group while studying Communications and Media, starting in the sales team where she managed and helped launch the first the PA Life Leading Venues of London SHOWCASE, where she built relationships with luxury venues across the capital. Drawn to the stories behind these spaces, she naturally transitioned into the editorial team, creating social media and editorial content. Upon graduating in June 2026, she is excited to be joining as Assistant Editor for Hotel Designs and SPACE.

Fun fact: When not working, Jess can usually be found tending to her kitchen garden in the Sussex countryside or foraging for herbs in the nearby woods. A keen grower, she recently studied a RHS Level 2 Diploma in the Principles of Horticulture during her spare time.

Work highlights: Jess joined SPACE magazine in 2022 and has since progressed from Assistant Editor to Editor. During this time, she has worked across many aspects of the publication – from shaping editorial strategy and overseeing operations to contributing to art direction and representing the brand on stage at industry events including Surface Design Show and WOW!house.

Alongside her role at SPACE, Jess has built a creative career spanning the arts, culture, design and travel sectors. Prior to joining the magazine, she spent more than a decade in the commercial art industry, in artist liaison, gallery management, and curating collections for the hospitality sector across hotels and cruise ships. During this time, she also worked on freelance projects as a writer, photographer, and creative content producer.
 
Jess studied photojournalism at London College of Communication and the Danish School of Media and Journalism and holds a first-class BA (Hons) in Culture, Criticism and Curation from Central Saint Martins.

Fun fact: Katy has spent years perfecting all kinds of accents and loves a good impersonation!

Work highlights: Katy has been with Hotel Designs since the beginning, way back in 2015 when Forum Events & Media Group acquired the brand.

During this time, she has fostered many meaningful relationships with clients from across the hospitality spectrum, as well as playing a pivotal role in the launch of The Brit List Awards, Hotel Designs MEET UPs, client-led roundtables and panel talks, brand and website redesigns, HD Wellness Sets, DESIGN POD podcast, Hotel Designs LIVE panel talk series, Accessible Design Talks and more. Katy is always on the lookout for the next opportunity to help grow the Hotel Designs brand even further.
 
Most recently Katy has stepped in to the role of Publisher atSPACE magazine, the printed bi-monthly publication focused on hotel design, architecture, and development.
Together these platforms offer a comprehensive 360-degree service encompassing digital media, print publishing, and live events – providing unparalleled value to advertisers, partners, and readers alike.