Charles Leon is a highly experienced member of the BIID council, joining in 2013 as the organisation merged with the Interior Design Association (IDA) where he was formerly Chairman.
Charles now leads the Professional Practice Committee, working with both students and interior designers alike through the BIID Professional Pathway. As an Associate of the Royal Society of the Arts (RSA) and guest lecturer at Middlesex University, Charles is a renowned speaker and an expert in his field.
Beginning his career as a set designer for the National Theatre and the English National Opera, Charles worked on productions both in the UK and abroad. He then moved into film design, working for Golan Globus and Working Title on a number of feature productions. In 1988, he was invited to join the UK’s foremost international hotel design company where he remained for five years, working on luxury hotels across Europe.
In 1994, Charles established his own design practice specialising in hospitality and residential design, Charles Leon Associates. After partnering with Nicholas Black in 2014, this company is today known as Leon Black, offering a comprehensive design service and unique solutions to the hospitality and residential sectors.
Charles is an expert speaker, regularly leading talks and discussions on design theory at events across the country and internationally, most recently speaking at the BIID’s Inside Knowledge Conference.
A strong believer that design is a behavioural, emotional and practical skill, Charles aims to fuse design across other domains including technology, science and art. His talks provide a new, powerful and persuasive way of understanding the creative mind.
“I feel privileged to be chosen as the next President of the BIID following such a successful year led by Susie Rumbold”, Charles comments. “As BIID President, I will ensure our members are supported as a community of designers, in developing their professional skills and encouraged in their creativity.
“I am looking forward to the year ahead and will continue to work closely with the BIID council in raising the profile of the Institute’s work with interior design professionals.”
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the BIID will be held on Thursday 6th July 2017, from 2.00pm to 5.00pm at the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
