Get To Know The 2025 BIID Council Candidates

The BIID AGM takes place on Thursday 18th September and will provide a chance for Registered Interior Designers to vote on their new Council. To help with the decision, we asked our candidates some quickfire questions. Anna Burles and Debra Kacher are BIID Registered Interior Designers and current Council directors and are standing for election for a second 2-year term of office. Chloe Bullock, Helen Hookway and Tobias Trigg are BIID Registered Interior Designers who are standing for election for a first 2-year term of office.

What is the biggest priority that the BIID should have in the next few years? 

Chloe Bullock:

I feel the priority of the BIID in the coming years is to ensure the relevance and resilience of our industry - strengthening us each as individuals and practices - and most importantly ensuring the responsibility for our work and lessening its impact. The BIID has done great work already to support us with this. As we go into our next 60 years, I want interior design to be part of the solution within the Built Environment and not the problem of negative impacts upon nature, animals and future generations.

Anna Burles:

Continuing to champion excellence in our industry and celebrating us as members. Showcasing the magic of what we do as designers and explaining the incredible value of interior design to clients, the media and other building project professionals. 
 

Helen Hookway:

The BIID should focus on strengthening recognition of professionalism and robust standards, positioning the industry for resilience. This includes championing clear entrance pathways, including apprenticeships, to make our profession more accessible and inclusive. We must also continue to drive progress in sustainable and ethical materials and product sourcing.

Debra Kacher:

The priority is to raise awareness in the industry as well to future designers of the benefits of membership with the Institute, particularly in relation to promoting, strengthening  and championing professionalism, best practices, standards, and integrity across the interior design industry as a whole. 

The focus will support the broader objective of the expansion of a stronger and engaged professional community—one that instills public trust and confidence in hiring registered interior designers. By highlighting the credibility and value of being part of the Institute, the aim should both attract new members and reinforce the reputation of those already registered.

Tobias Trigg:

The BIID is invested in nurturing young talent by supporting the upcoming Interior Design Apprenticeship Scheme.  This priority aligns an interior designer’s pathway by ensuring they fully understand and adhere to the standards we strive to achieve by setting a benchmark in interior design at BIID by becoming a Registered Interior Designer and remains the most important priority for the next few years.  This type of supportive continuity of growth is fostered by the broad range of CPD programs and events available to those who are seeking to aspire to raise the profile of being a BIID Registered Interior Designer.  This is done by maintaining, protecting and raising professional practices by sustainable, ethical and inclusive means. 

What skills can designers gain now that will future proof their business in years to come? 

Chloe Bullock:

Enhancing skills for things that AI can’t provide - most importantly the value of our human connections with each other, with our clients and our connection to nature. These all strengthen our practice, purpose and enjoyment of our work - which are vital for the longevity of our businesses.

Anna Burles:

We already need a unique and complex set of skills to do what we do every day. And with changes in technology, including the rise of AI, we need to adapt and harness how they can help us speed up some elements of our process from creating the perfect mood board image to speedy visuals. But at the same time, getting smarter at marketing, emphasising the truly tailored, priceless services we give our clients that AI simply can’t do; hand-holding them through the specific challenges of their project, removing stress, helping co-ordinate trades, keeping timings and budgets on track, reducing their risk, saving them money and creating truly unique schemes.

Helen Hookway:

While technology is transforming our industry, the skills that will truly future proof interior designers are the uniquely human ones- strong stakeholder management, negotiation and communication skills remain invaluable in building trust and delivering projects successfully. A developed understanding of sustainable practice will be key to clients, and regulations increasingly demand environmentally conscious design, this is something to start embedding now.
 

Debra Kacher:

In today’s increasingly challenging environment, it’s crucial that designers are equipped not only with technical and creative skills but also with managerial and financial awareness to run a successful business. In addition, emerging skills such as the integration of AI, alongside effective use of social media and marketing, are becoming indispensable. 

Knowledge, awareness and implementation of best practices in sustainability is paramount to running a  professional and outward facing practice 

Tobias Trigg:

As designers, we all hold a keen eye in design and detail.  This must be applied to the finance side of your business.  Knowing your chintz from your chaise lounge is fabulous, but so is your balance sheet from your bottom line!  Keeping an eye on your cashflow and allowing for life’s rainy days may well end up saving you – more than you think!

In three words, how would you describe your career to date?
Chloe Bullock:

Educational, exciting, and satisfying

Anna Burles:

Creative, thrilling and super-challenging! 

Helen Hookway:

Diverse. Resilient. Respected.

Debra Kacher:

Diverse, professional, rewarding 

Tobias Trigg:

Extraordinary, challenging, surprising. 

Eligible members should now have received voting information through our election system, MiVoice. If you haven't received

To attend the AGM on the 18th September, book here.