The British Interior Design Association

Board of Directors

Lori Pinkerton-Rolet
Chairman

Lori Pinkerton-Rolet has been on the BIDA board for several years, having previously led both International and Regional activities.

She describes her focus as Chairman to be: "…the further development of the Association’s internal operations which will allow for immediate growth in the various Interior Design sectors." "The BIDA is uniquely placed to underline the standards of professionalism demanded of our members, and to demonstrate that effectiveness to the general public, government agencies, suppliers, and to all who liaise with our industry."

Lori has been Director of Park Grove Design since 1993 working in the residential, contract, and health sectors. She is a member of the IIDA (International Interior Design Association), the Inchbald Association, and is an Affiliate of the RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects).

Park Grove’s portfolio ranges from homes to hotels and from a 15th Century English manor house to state-of-the-art new builds in Britain, the United States, and in France. Lori’s projects have been published in House & Garden, Homes & Garden, Ideal Home, Designer, KBB, Rooms & Living Magazine, IdFX, and The Sunday Telegraph. Most recently appeared as a guest on Sky Television’s "Women in Property" program.

She shares her life with her architect/musician husband, two strong-willed and delightful teenage daughters, and an ancient pussycat.

Vanessa Brady
Vice Chairman

Vanessa’s former role as Finance Director provides her with a thorough insight into the potential, opportunities and risks of developing the BIDA.

Her aim in this Business year is to create a Platform for the ongoing development of Interior Design as a Profession. Vanessa will develop the Strategy that enables the BIDA to grow into a less centralised business enabling all regions of the Country to participate in the organic growth and development of the Professions’ leading Association for Interior Design, the Development of which will raise the Bar and take the BIDA to a new and exciting Level of recognised Professionalism.

Vanessa says “Planned development will be defined as the BIDA moves towards Institute Status. Public Awareness, Mentoring through Design Schools and Universities and a closer working Partnership with both Suppliers and Manufacturers will be a critical part of the Development; therefore I have an enormous task ahead. It will be exciting and exhausting but it is achievable. Developing a fusion of minds and skills can only enhance the Design Profession as a whole. It’s a lot of work but the rewards are endless at every level of entry. I am so excited to be involved with this wonderful task I will aim to do as much as I can to achieve the goal – it’s a tough call in one year but as a Designer I am used to working to tight deadlines”

Vanessa’s overall Aim is to develop the Profession so that all Interior Designers will be registered leading to a nationally recognised level of Professional Interior Design throughout the Country she says “In a year ahead of financial doubt, this is not a year to look at business growth but building on our existing assets, therefore I feel suitably equipped to achieve the Aim”.

Dean Keyworth
Past Chairman

Dean Keyworth is a graduate in French from London University. Following a career in travel and hotel marketing, he set up Armstrong Keyworth Ltd. in 1997 having studied for the Rhodec Diploma in Interior Design.

As well as his design acumen, Dean provides business and management skills that help to ensure the smooth progression of design projects from single rooms to large country houses.

His work has been featured in Ideal Home, Home Magazine, The Daily Express, 25 Beautiful Homes and most recently, Channel 4’s ‘Room for Improvement.’ Dean is a regular contributor to magazines and other publications including Interior Design Magazine and The Evening Standard on interior design trends and tips.

Dean has been a member of the BIDA for seven years and has been actively involved in the marketing strategy of the organisation for five years. In November 2006 Dean became Chairman of the BIDA.

Whilst concentrating on private flats and houses, Armstrong Keyworth Ltd. has also designed commercial spaces including shops, offices and the BIDA stand at 100% Design. Dean is equally at home working on traditional or contemporary interiors, depending on the style of the property and, of course, the client’s own preferences.

Karin Verzariu
Company Secretary & Membership Director

A graduate of the New York School of Interior Design, Karin gained valuable experience working for an interiors company in London before setting up her own business, Key Interiors, over 25 years ago. In 1981 Karin became a member of the IDDA. After joining the BIDA’s events committee in 2002 she was elected to the Board of Directors in November 2003 and took on the role of director of CPD tours. She was involved with the creation of the new BIDA website, has been Company Secretary since November 2004 and is now responsible for membership issues.

Professionally, Karin enjoys working in a variety of styles, both contemporary and classical; her years studying art history and painting ensure that her designs remain sympathetic to period features and architecture, while incorporating new technology and cutting edge design. Contemporary work includes family houses and apartments in London, Cambridge and Frankfurt, as well as reception areas of large blocks of flats in central London. Period and traditional refurbishments work include an Art Deco penthouse adjacent the Savoy Hotel, 18th and 19th century London houses, and a Grade 2* listed Robert Adam building for a medical body. Karin has participated in the BIDA show apartment at the House & Garden Daily Telegraph Fair.

Karin’s work has taken her overseas to the United States and Germany, and her fluency in French and German eases communication with clients from abroad. She enjoys advising on the purchase of antiques and works of art and their decorative use in the home. Her work has been featured in many interior design magazines.

Iris Dunbar
Education Director

Since 1967 Iris Dunbar has been promoting the interior design profession. As a student within the interior department of a traditional school of architecture, she and her classmates were constantly defending the role of the interior designer as an integral part of the construction team. This continued in her first job at Building Design Partnership, an international multidisciplinary practice where she worked on projects such as Banco de Santo in Lisbon to The Ministry of Planning in Riyadh. In 1976 she was a founder member of ?The Yellow Pencil Company Limited? solving client briefs from a business card to corporate interiors and exhibitions. Her planning and design expertise has ranged from one hour events to restaurants, hospitals, offices and shopping centres with varied client portfolio.

Her educational career began in 1976 as a freelance lecturer at various colleges over the years. Since 1990 her time has been spent developing The Interior Design School with the constant emphasis on the professional status within the industry ? both commercial and residential.

Iris is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Eliska Sapera
Exhibition Director

Eliska Sapera, with over 25 years experience in the field of design, is the Design Director of Eliska Design Associates. The design practice is diverse, offering a comprehensive consultancy service. Working with architects and landscape gardeners, the practice provides design and colour intelligence with sourcing of antiques and furnishings worldwide. Furniture, lighting and textiles can be designed specifically for each project. An important aspect of Eliska Design Associates is the ability to mix old and new, contemporary and traditional design, bringing the project in on time and on budget.

Projects undertaken are: Commercial office design, Residential, UK and International, Furniture, lighting and accessory collections.

Eliska is an affiliate member of RIBA and IIDA. She is a new member of the board and is looking forward to sharing her expertise and knowledge of the profession.

George Bond
Regional Director

George entered the world of interior design in 1984, opening his first business in Newcastle upon Tyne. Since then he has become an international figure and continues to travel and work overseas, and throughout the United Kingdom. He works directly with each client, creating original designs and supervising each stage of all projects. George has been a member of BIDA since 1993, and has served as a Board Member and Head of Region. Today he is Director of all Regions

In recognition of his work in the design world he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts in 2005.

For several years he featured with Carol Vorderman in the television programme Better Homes, and has appeared in numerous other programmes. Contributions to national interior design magazines continue, together with regular articles for regional publications.

Recruiting new members for BIDA at home and abroad is an important part of his work. Each year newly qualified, or about to qualify, design students are brought into the company for work experience

Mary Barber Fray
Finance Director

Mary founded her interior design business in 1996, after studying at the KLC School of Design, and following a successful career as a professional chartered accountant and business management consultant. She has been an active member of the BIDA since that time, representing the BIDA at Grand Designs, and forming part of the Design Interiors judging panel. She is also an affiliate of the RIBA.

Most of Mary’s clients are Midlands based, but she also undertakes projects further afield including London. Specialising in private residences, Mary works with a small team to ensure she is personally involved in all aspects of her client work. Her business skills help ensure that design projects run smoothly and to budget, and she is known for her intuition and meticulous attention to detail. She is equally at home working in contemporary and traditional styles and sees her role as one of “interpreting my client’s wishes, while guiding them to accept my professional expertise”.

As Finance Director, Mary brings her wealth of experience to help the BIDA plan, control and manage its expansion plans, while maintaining clear benefits to all its members.

Jenny Gibbs

Jenny founded the KLC School of Design 25 years ago. She is strongly committed to raising the profile of the interior design industry and to maintaining the highest professional standards for graduating students. She has lectured to associations and groups in the UK and abroad, contributes regularly to interior design magazines and is the author of three books. The latest, “Interior Design”, offers a thorough grounding in the principals of interior design and is published by Laurence King. The rights have been sold extensively internationally