The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) has announced its new president for 2019-20, Harriet Forde, founder of London-based practice Harriet Forde Design.
Harriet succeeds current president, Gilly Craft, and officially took on the role at the BIID Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Thursday 4th July, which took place at The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
Harriet Forde is an experienced interior designer and a long-standing member of the BIID, having previously held the position of Chair of the Membership Committee. An active member of the Institute, Harriet regularly leads talks and discussions at industry events across the country, including participation at the most recent BIID Inside Knowledge Conference.
Having begun her study of interior design at the London School of Furniture, Harriet went on to graduate from the prestigious University Central St Martin’s with a degree in textiles. Following more than 10 years’ experience in the hospitality design sector – working for the likes of Richard Daniels, Richmond International and Areen Design – Harriet eventually set up her own practice, Harriet Forde Design in 1999.
Harriet is influenced by an admiration for architecture, attention to detail and nature, and incorporates this within her designs through pattern and texture. Harriet also has a keen interest in the influences of design on wellbeing and explores the way this can be developed within a space through the careful selection of materials, lighting and space planning.
Harriet is experienced in the commercial, hospitality and high-end residential sector and is regularly commissioned to work on projects across the UK, continental Europe and the Middle East. This has allowed her to build a successful business and client base, with an approach centred on the understanding of space and translating it into original concepts and design.
Harriet continues to personally lead every client project and it is this commitment that has allowed the practice to thrive, with the studio recently celebrating an impressive 20 years in business.
“I am delighted to be president of the BIID, to continue the fantastic work already established by our hard-working BIID council,” comments Harriet Forde, BIID President. “As president, I will continue to support our members in providing a high-quality and professional service to their clients, to educate consumers on the benefits of using a BIID registered designer and to ensure that our talented community of BIID members continues to thrive.”
