Liz takes office as BIID President!

We are delighted to announce that our Director, Liz Bell, starts her role as president of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) today!

With a focus on governance, sustainability, and nurturing future talent, it looks set to be an exciting year.

What is the BIID & why it matters

The BIID was founded in 1965, and awarded Institute status in 2009 as ‘the only professional organisation dedicated exclusively to interior designers in the UK’.

The BIID plays a vital role in raising the standards and profile of interior design by establishing and maintaining professional pathways. To become a BIID Registered Interior Designer®, members must meet rigorous criteria: combining education and experience, passing a Registration Assessment, holding proper professional insurances, and continuing with Continuous Professional Development (CPD) each year.

This ensures that clients who engage a BIID Registered Practice can expect work that is professionally managed, expertly executed, and compliant with all necessary regulations. The Institute also offers networking, education, and awards, which benefit both emerging and established designers alike.

Read more about the BIID in our blog “What is the BIID and why is it Relevant” or visit the BIID website

Liz’s Progression to Presidency

Seeking a professional community or “RIBA equivalent” Liz joined the BIID in 2018. After becoming a BIID Registered Interior Designer® in 2019, she quickly got involved with the Institute’s work, joining the Professional Practice Committee and leading the development of the BIID’s revised Code of Conduct. Liz was instrumental in introducing now-core values such as knowledge sharing, fair treatment, and sustainability - helping to embed these into the Institute’s ethos through talks and member engagement.

She later led work on the BIID’s Sustainability Strategy and the Sustainable Specifying Guide, coordinating a passionate team of contributors to produce widely used resources for the industry. After joining Council, Liz continued to advocate for persistent, meaningful change through collaboration.

Her steady progression through the organisation has given her the insight needed to lead with purpose- ensuring the BIID’s strategic goals are met, members are supported and that new talent and great ideas for the institute are harnessed and implemented.

Liz’s vision for the BIID this year

The BIID is embarking on a big review of the governance and looking to make improvements where necessary, so that existing membership can be better served, and so the community and is set up to continue the BIID’s work well into the future. Sustainability will be a key focus, and Liz is excited to help designers and suppliers understand the positive impact they can have on our industry. Supporting the next generation of designers is also a priority, and Liz is looking forward to seeing the creativity of our student competitions and nurturing emerging talent.

See more in this article- SPOTLIGHT ON: INCOMING BIID PRESIDENT LIZ BELL 

Upcoming BIID events

• Decorex – Liz is chairing a panel discussion on: Mastering Marketing & Building your Interior Design Brand. Wed 15th Oct, 11am

• BIID Awards - celebrating excellence across interior design Thur 23rd Oct, 12pm 

• BIID 60^th Anniversary – exclusive party to celebrate the BIID and all its achievements over the last 60 years Thur 27th Nov, 6pm

Please join us in congratulating Liz, and if you want to get involved or share suggestions, don’t hesitate to reach out.