Moderator & Host

I hosted the Surface Design Awards 2022 at the Business Design Centre in London.

APRIL 2025

29th APRIL 2025

**Design Leaders Talk: Colour & Intentional Design – Creating Meaningful Interiors**

Colour plays a powerful role in shaping the way we experience interior spaces. It can influence emotion, support wellbeing, and bring clarity to how a space functions, but using it effectively requires thoughtful intention.

In this panel discussion with ***Emma Bestley, Verity Coleman and Rebecca Hughes,*** we’ll explore how designers can use colour with purpose, from understanding its psychological impact on perception and mood, to using it to define areas within a space and enhance usability. Register ***here*** *for tickets*

MARCH 2025

10th MARCH 2025

**The Future of Wellness: The Importance of Wellness at Home**

I will be moderating an inspiring discussion featuring **Helen Bygraves** and **Jenny Weiss**, visionary co-founders of **Hill House Interiors, Rebecca Lazar**, Wellness Design Expert at **Technogym,** and special quest **Dr Federica Amati**-best-selling author of **Every Body Should Know This** and Head Nutritionist at Zoe.

**A Journey Into Slow Design**

I will have the chance to speak to some of the leading figures in craft and bespoke design **Bill Amberg, Nicola Cox, Laura Hammett** and Jon Flannigan, about the value and benefits of slow design within the interior design sector. Join me for this enlightening event as part of **London Design Week**.

JANUARY 2025

30th JANUARY 2025

**Design Leaders Talks: Delivering Exceptional Client Experiences**

I moderated an insightful panel discussion exploring the essential strategies for understanding and meeting the ever-evolving needs of luxury clients. The expert panellists of **Louise Bradley, Rose Murray and Mia Karlsson** shared their strategies for creating a seamless and enjoyable client journey.

NOVEMBER 2024

26th NOVEMBER 2024

**Design Leaders Talk: Leading Design Projects with Confidence**

I had the opportunity to moderate a panel with **Alex Dauley, Carmelina Dalton and Rose Narmani** They discussed the essentials of managing interior design projects, including project coordination, client trust, supplier collaboration, problem-solving, and purposeful leadership.

OCTOBER 2024

25th OCTOBER 2024

**DNA Paris Design Conference and Awards 2024**

For the third year in a row, I have been invited to moderate the **DNA Paris Design Conference**. I feel privileged to be hosting the daytime conference and present an award at the grand evening event which will take place in central Paris.
Click **here** for more details.

6th to 9th OCTOBER 2024

**Decorex 2024**

In my role as **YesColours Design Director**, I will be moderating three of the talks in the **VIP Lounge** at Decorex.
Click **here** for more details.

SEPTEMBER 2024

16th SEPTEMBER 2024

**Building a Resilient Interior Design Business**

I moderated a frank and insightful panel discussion about how to survive as a design business, with Brian Woulfe, Carly Madhvani and Cinzia Moretti.

JUNE 2024

26th JUNE 2024

**Entrepreneur or Employee - How do you choose?**

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a career-driven professional, this event is designed to provide you with the knowledge and inspiration to explore your options. It’s also a great opportunity to network with like-minded individuals and gain new perspectives. Click **here** to book your free tickets.

FEBRUARY 2024

27th FEBRUARY 2024

**Workspace Design Show**

As part of the **Occupiers Forum Agenda**, I was invited to moderate the panel discussion with Sarah Murdoch, Corporate Real Estate Director, **Visa Europe**, Steve Wright Director of Workplace Design and Change Management, **GSK** and Pinar Erdem, Head of Workplace and Colleague Experience, Global Corporate Services, **HSBC** who explored diversity and equality to create truly inclusive workspaces.

NOVEMBER 2023

1st NOVEMBER 2023

**Dulux & Allermuir at The Senator Group showroom in Clerkenwell**

On Wednesday 1st November, I took part in a panel discussion with **Marianne Shillingford, Peter Howard, Michelle Heath** and Dawn Scott asking : **Is Colour selection a science that can be learnt to improve wellbeing in commercial environments?**

OCTOBER 2023

8th OCTOBER 2023

**Decorex, Olympia London**

**Why Do We Need Colour - Can we live without it?**
In early October, I had the pleasure of moderating a fantastically colourful panel including **Karen Haller** and **Ella Doran**, and Esther Patterson of Curiousa. They unpacked the myths and mysteries about colour which kicked off the first day of Decorex 2023 at Olympia.

6th OCTOBER 2023

**DNA Paris Design Conference & Awards 2023**

For the second year in a row, I moderated the **DNA Paris Design Conference**. It was a privilege and pleasure to be invited to host the daytime conference and present the **Professional Architecture Award** at the grand evening event which took place at the **Espace Niemeyer** in Paris.
Click **here** for more details.

SEPETMBER 2023

20th SEPTEMBER 2023

**FOCUS / 23 Chelsea Design Centre**
**Grow Your Business In Association With BIID : Building A Diverse and Inclusive Interior Design Business.**

On **20th September** I will be on a panel with **Tola Ojuolape** and **Jo Sampson**. Chaired by **Elspeth Pridham** at the Arte Showroom. Expect plenty of tips on the tools that have been created to support designers, advice on career choices, business opportunities and ways that diversity within the industry can be increased. Find out more **here**.

SUMMER 2023

**Design Career Consulting Creative Student Series 2023**

During **August** and **September** I showcased the work of a selection of very talented creative students from the **University of Plymouth**. This is also available on the Design Career Consulting instagram account with a follow up on the DCC website.

MAY 2023

24th MAY 2023

**Clerkenwell Design Week**

As part of the **Conversations at Clerkenwell** programme on **Wednesday 24th May**, I was invited to discuss diversity with esteemed guests **Emma Morley**, **Vicky Yang** and **Liliana Saldanha**. Beautifully chaired by **Design Council Chief Executive, Minnie Moll**. I talked about discrimination from the perspective of age and mobility in design as these have been important issues during my career.

MARCH 2023

**London Design Week**

On **Tuesday 14th March**, I moderated a design talk at Chelsea Harbour Design Centre as part of the **Access All Areas** series **Why You Should Start With Floor Art?**
I was joined by an enthusiastic audience at the brand new **Wendy Morrison Showroom on the First Floor of Design Centre East** for a special discussion with **Wendy Morrison, Jenny Weiss** and Helen Bygraves of **Hill House Interiors**, discussing their approach and work. You can find out more details **here**.

NOVEMBER 2022

**The Art of Light & Colour**

On Tuesday 15th November, I joined colour and design psychology consultant **Karen Haller** and **Erco Lighting’s Managing Director, Jim Ashley-Down**, for an informal and sometimes interactive chat about light and colour in the ERCO London showroom.
We had a lively discussion with a very engaged audience of designers, architect, clients and specifiers.
To see more from that evening, just click **here**.

OCTOBER 2022

**DNA Paris Design Conference & Awards**

Earlier in the year I was invited as moderator for the DNA Paris Design Awards Conference entitled **‘Design. in harmony, for a more social and greener future’**
I had the pleasure of meeting and talking to Suné Stasssen, Philippe Nacson, Sebastien Roussel and Bertrand Schippan. Later that evening we attended the DNA Paris Design Awards at La Caserne, Paris.
You can see the full Paris Design Conference 2022 **here.**

SUMMER 2022

**Design Career Consulting Student Designer Series**

During August and September I showcased the work of a selection of very talented designers from the University of Plymouth. This will be available on the Design Career Consulting instagram account with a follow up on the DCC website.
**Summer 2022 | London**
Click **here** to find out about the DCC Student Designer Series.

30th JUNE 2022

**Interior Design & Architecture Summit**

I took part in this year’s Interior Design & Architecture Summit.
Moderated by **Hamish Kilburn**, I will be in discussion with **Fameed Khalique**, **Marie Solman** and **Lewis Taylor**.
**Living In A Materials World**
**Thursday 30th June @ 2.00pm - 2.35pm |** **Hilton London Canary Wharf, South Quay, Marsh Wall, London E14**
Click **here** to find out more.

26th MAY 2022

Clerkenwell Design Week

Hosted by Kate Watson-Smyth of Mad About The House, I will be part of a panel who will be dissecting sustainable design within the furniture and design community, looking at the myths of sustainability and how to avoid greenwashing.

The other panellists will be Harry Peck, Roddy Clarke and Hani Hatami of Humanscale.

Design For Life - Sustainable Design for the Home

Thursday 26th May @ 3pm - 4pm | Humanscale, 200 St John Street, London, EC1

Click here for more details.

26th MAY 2022

Clerkenwell Design Week

Curated by Morag Ofilli, founder of Diversity and Inclusion consultancy Kiltered, I will be joined by design professionals Daniel Peters and Sarah Malik to discuss whether the industry has lost its’ way, whilst attempting to make design more inclusive and diverse.

Diversity in Design - Are we missing the point?

Thursday 26th May @ 4pm - 5pm | Spa Fields, Northampton Road, London, EC1

Click here for more details.

25th MAY 2022

Clerkenwell Design Week

I will be in conversation with Sharon Simpson of Dark Romantix Design to discuss the important role lighting can play in interior design, and how art and colour can come alive through the right light. Discover interior design through a beautiful and interesting lens of light, art and colour, and enjoy a delicious cocktail while you do it. Limited tickets available.

The Perfect Interiors Cocktail

Wednesday 25th May @ 4pm - 5pm | Fritz Fryer, 1 Albemarle Way, London EC1

Click here to find out more.

24th MAY 2022

Clerkenwell Design Week

I will be at the Wilkhahn and Soundtect showroom to discuss how I work with clients and suppliers to create sustainable solutions in commercial environments.

The sustainable way to ease anxiety and stress in the workplace

Tuesday 24th May @ 3.30pm - 4.15pm | 45 Great Sutton Street, London EC1

Click here to find out more.

12th MAY 2022

London Craft Week

As a celebration of craft during this special week, EDGE are hosting a selection of Kam Ce Kam in-house designs, handmade by their team in India by their team of highly skilled craftspeople. The goal of this discussion is to identify which tasks in craft are at present labour intensive and can be aided by robotics to make them readily available to the wider artisan community.

Sustainable Crafts in an Age of Technology

Wednesday 12th May @ 6pm - 9pm | EDGE, 146 Marylebone Road, London NW1

Click here for tickets and more information.

11th MAY 2022

Break Free Exhibition

I have been invited to moderate a design panel discussion with

Actress, Writer & Director - Leann O’Kasi, Interior Designer - Matteo Bianchi, and Dance Artist - Petra Haller

with Jorge Luccas with Lingo Scott.

Jorge Luccas is a Fine Artist and Designer based in London that has been collaborating with brands such as Baboon, Elle and Artefiera Bologna, showcasing his works across Europe - London, Paris, Milan.

Lingo Scott is a Singer-Songwriter and Musician based in East London. He has performed internationally on stages in Jamaica, Miami, Switzerland, Thailand, London and the UK. Received plays on BBC Radio 1 as well as features on Complex.com and Hype TV Jamaica.

During the month long exhibition at the Omnide in Belsize Park there will be live music, NFTs, live singing, live painting, moderated panel talks with special guests, a fashion show of the duo's exclusive fashion collection, and a live fashion panel talk with selected guest speakers from the fashion industry.

Jorge - Fine Artist & Designer plus Lingo - Singer-Songwriter & Musician

Thursday 11th May @ 6pm - 9pm | Omnide Gallery, 96 Belsize Lane, London NW3

Click here for tickets and more information.

9th MAY 2022

Designerati Podcast

I was intereviewed and talk about my career, my mentors, representation, discrimination and bullying in the workplace. Huge thanks to Melissa Porter and everyone at Designerati.

You can find it via Apple podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you get your podcasts.

Click here to listen and watch.

13th & 14th APRIL 2022

Architect @ Work London

I have been recording podcasts, curating photoshoots, writing new content and preparing for Spring and Summer events. As part of this preparation I attended Architect @ Work London at The Truman Brewery in Spitalfields.

Click here to find out more.

Wednesday 13th & Thursday 14th April 2022 | The Truman Brewery, Levels G1 & T1, Brick Lane, London, E1

10th FEBRUARY 2022

Surface Design Show

I felt very privileged to be invited to host the Design Awards at the Surface Design Show 2022.

There’s nothing like being there and seeing and hearing live the excitement and as the winners make their way to the stage to be presented with their coveted trophies. The networking champagne breakfast was held at The Business Design Centre in London’s Islington for the 2022 Surface Design Awards Presentation.

Thursday 10th February @ 8.45am - 10.30am | Business Design Centre, Islington, London, N1

Click here to find out more.

25th SEPTEMBER 2021

Design London

As we navigate our way out of the pandemic and enter a new era in design, now seems like an ideal opportunity to reflect how the world has changed. At Design London 2021, I was in conversation with a selection of interior designers to discuss their responses to issues raised in the last 18 months and what the industry could look like in the future.

Saturday 25th September @ 1.00pm - 2.00pm | Discussions at Design London

‘What next for designers in the 21st century?’

I was joined by interior designers Alexandria Dauley, Sharon Simpson and Tash South.

Click here to find out more.

24th SEPTEMBER 2021

London Design Festival

As part of the London Design Festival 2021, I was invited to take part in the Creative Conversation series by Creative Skills Network.

Friday 24th September @ 11.00am - 12.00pm | Getting Started - The first 5 years after graduation

Hosted by Creative Skills Network Founder, Sebastian Bergne, with Theodóra Alfreðsdóttir, Riya Panchal and Sue Pryke.

Click here to find out more.

19th AUGUST 2021

British Institute of Interior Design

I was interviewed by the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) for their newsletter, about finding a job in the interior design industry, with particular reference to the current situation. In the article I cover job searching, recruitment agencies and recruiting practices.

You can read the article by clicking here.

Simon is a passionate and articulate advocate for the interior design profession. He represents the Institute in the UK and at events abroad, helping to build its reputation for quality and professionalism within the world of interior design. Simon is also very well-connected and is adept at creating new partnerships which bring significant benefits to the Institute.

Jeff Hayward

Wildwood Public Relations, West Sussex