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MEET OUR TEAM

Want to get to know the people behind the scenes? Together, the Hotel Designs team has an all-encompassing skillset; comprising writers, event planning and implementation, sales and sponsorship, marketing, social media management, design, creative and production, this team has years of experience creating compelling content and experiences around hotel design, and on this page you can find out more about us…

Katy Phillips

Publisher

Sophie Harper

Editor

Meghan Taylor

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Pauline de Villiers Brettell

Writer

Lauren Thackeray

Senior Marketing Manager

Georgia McIlraith

MARKETING EXECUTIVE

Lorraine Rodgers

Administration Manager

Carla Duaso

Creative Designer

Charlotte Eve

DIGITAL DESIGN MANAGER

Isabelle Marsh

ADVERTISING PRODUCTION EXECUTIVE

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 at SPACE 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.

Fun fact: Sophie spends her spare time running marathons and roller skating (not at the same time)! 

Work highlights: Sophie Harper is an established travel and design journalist and has worked on some of the UK’s most reputable publications and award-winning media campaigns in the last 15 years.

As both a writer and editor, Sophie has specialised in hospitality design over the last decade and has interviewed and hosted events internationally with some of the most influential personalities in the industry.

She joined the Forum Events team in February 2024 as Editor of Hotel Designs.

Fun fact: Green fingered, Meg has previously worked outside and in floristry. Her favourite thing is creating wreaths at Christmas time. Bonus fact, she always used to say that when she grew up, she wanted to be an elf (and still hopes this may happen).

Work highlights: Meg spent the first few years of her career in journalism writing about farming, and in that time learnt so much – including the names of most tractor parts. She went on to get the first ever National Women in Agriculture Awards off the ground, which was held at the House of Commons. Following this, Meg joined the Hotel Designs team – she’s always wanted to write about design and now she is – the pinch me moments are non-stop! 

Fun fact: Pauline works remotely from her desk in Morocco

Work highlights: Pauline is an experienced design and lifestyle writer who started working on print publication in her hometown of Cape Town South Africa and since has written about design, interiors and travel for a wide range of publications both online and on the shelf.

Fun fact: Lauren embarked on a solo journey to Hong Kong for a two-month work placement at an events company. During her time there, she assisted with client meetings, event briefs, proposal creation, and social media posting, while also attending various events. Alongside her professional duties, she embraced the local culture, attempting to use chopsticks and learning basic phrases in the local language – though not always with complete success!

Work highlights: Lauren began her journey at Forum Events & Media Group as a Marketing Executive. Over the past five years, she has advanced to the role of Senior Marketing Manager, where she now oversees the entire marketing team. Lauren’s keen attention to detail and passion for crafting marketing campaigns have been instrumental in successfully promoting over 30 events, a challenge she thoroughly enjoys.

Fun fact: During her school years, Georgia studied for some time in Kuwait and Paris, and she’s done a lot of travelling since.

Work highlights: Georgia has worked in marketing for seven years across a wide range of different industries and absolutely loves what she does. She has been at Forum Events since early 2023. A working highlight has been The Brit List Awards over the last couple of years.

Work highlights: Lorraine has just celebrated 25 years with Forum Events & Media Group. Starting as a delegate co-ordinator in 1999 and working her way up to managing the whole delegate team.

She now enjoys a slightly less stressful part-time role as Administration Manager, supporting the sales team and Hotel Designs.

Fun fact: Carla speaks three languages and is learning her fourth.

Work highlights: Spanish-born graphic designer Carla studied in Barcelona before moving to London in 2018, finishing her degree at London Metropolitan University.

After working for various companies, she joined Forum Events & Media Group as  a freelancer in 2021 on maternity cover. Once this temporary role ended, she was promoted to Creative Designer, a job she really enjoys.

Fun fact: Charlotte can sing and is a natural performer, having been in various shows in her school days. 

Work highlights: Charlotte has been with the business for three years as a graphic designer, helping the marketing team with all aspects of the company’s events as well as rebranding The Brit List event guide.

After her maternity leave in 2023 Charlotte progressed to Digital Design Manager, which includes managing and designing all new Forum Events websites in addition to producing the PA Life magazine.

Fun fact: Isabelle is proud to have been named Hertfordshire County Archery Champion when she was 12.

Work highlights: Isabelle studied English Language and Linguistics at university. Following this, she began a career as a copywriter as well as working in TV marketing. She joined the Forum Events team in August 2024, working across Hotel Designs, PA Life and Forum Events’ advertising content.

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: I’m a keen cyclist and will happily bore people with copious amounts of cycling chat. My top cycling experience (so far) would have to be riding in the spectacular mountains of Crete.

Work highlights: Charles joined Forum Events in 2022. With a background in publishing, editorial media and events, Charles brings a wealth of experience to his role as Senior Production Manager. Having being involved with SPACE from the outset, he is excited to see the brand grow and develop.

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.