Mix Awards North 2024: Meet your judges

An impressive line-up of the industry’s leading professionals, Mix Awards North 2024’s cohort of judges represent some of the most influential and renowned architecture and design practices the world over. In a rigorous shortlisting process, our panel of experts will cast a discerning eye across all 21 categories, judging primarily on four key categories: sustainability, functionality, innovation and design.

The deadline for entries has been extended, meaning you have until Tuesday 24 September to be in with a chance to make this year’s final cut. As usual, entering is a simple process via our online events platform – and there is no fee to enter.

Enter now

This year’s finalists will be announced on our social media channels, with the winner of each category revealed at the always-spectacular Mix Awards North ceremony at Manchester Central on Thursday 28 November.

Book your tickets here

Meet the judges

Grace Cooper, Design Director, Allied London

Cooper is Design Director for Allied London, a UK property development group who devise, design and deliver landmark mixed-use developments across the country. She also leads Studio Hart, a practice of interior designers and architects, who work on a range of projects in Manchester and Leeds, across the workspace, hospitality and retail sector.

Patrick McCrae, CEO, Artiq

McCrae is the entrepreneur behind international art agency Artiq: the fastest growing consultancy for artists and commercial interior designers in recent years. He believes in the power of creativity to tell impactful stories, build a sense of community and enliven work and hospitality spaces. Artiq’s ethos champions the creative freedom and fair imbursement of their artists, all the while providing interior designers with works that have strong commercial appeal.

Edith Blennerhassett, Director, Arup

A chartered building services engineer, Edith Blennerhassett has over 35 years of experience in the design and delivery of complex projects with ambitious goals for technical excellence and sustainability. Blennerhassett specialises in social infrastructure projects including new build and refurbishment schemes. As director of built environment and engineering consultancy Arup, her focus has been on Race to Zero agenda.

Jason Hopkins, Global Category Lead – Capital & Real Estate, Haleon

Having worked in procurement for over a decade, Hopkins leads the global corporate real estate and facilities management categories across the financial services, commercial property, automotive, retail and legal sectors. During his time in this field, he has developed a deep appreciation of bold commercial design ideas, with his work placing a particular emphasis on the workplace as a social hub of enjoyment and relaxation, as opposed to traditional office environments.

Graeme Davidson, Design Director, HBA

Davidson is an architect with over two decades of experience in delivering high end residential, commercial office, and mixed-use projects. As Design Director at HBA Residential, a specialised design-house of the renowned international design firm Hirsch Bedner Associates, Davidson heads up the London architecture team, collaborating with the interior design team to create contextual architectural environments in locations across the globe.

Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design, Lick

Bradley is the Director of Interior Design at Lick, the home of designer paint, wallpaper and interior design. Starting out as a professional artist, she’s spent the last decade specialising in home decoration and colour psychology, her work predominantly focusing on colour and its emotional impact on people.

Paula Rowntree, Head of Workplace Design, Lloyds Banking Group

As Head of Workplace Design, Rowntree is responsible for Spatial Design at Lloyds Banking Group. She has led the transformation of bank branch design for three Retail Brands as well as transforming the office spaces as the company transitions to hybrid working.​ With a passion for ‘purposeful design’, Rowntree co-creates with customers and colleagues to gain insight into what makes the optimum customer experience whilst meeting the strategic ambition of the business.​

Gurvinder Khurana, Director, M Moser Associates

A passionate voice on sustainability, wellbeing and diversity in design, Khurana is a Director at M Moser with over two decades’ experience. In the studio, Gurvinder adds to M Moser’s focus on the design and delivery of low and zero carbon projects.

Charlotte Raffo, Founder and Product Designer, The Monkey Puzzle Tree

Charlotte Raffo is the founder of multi award winning brand The Monkey Puzzle Tree. Founded in 2017, they collaborate with artists from the North of England to create locally made fabrics and wall coverings with a twist and a conscience, supplying both commercial and residential interior projects. Raffo is passionate about finding new and original perspectives in design.

Wanda Olivier, Director – Workplace Experience and Travel, WeTransfer

Olivier is an accomplished real estate and workplace director with a track record in instating global strategy roles. Experienced in developing real estate strategies and designing hybrid work environments, she is passionate about creating engaging workplaces and enhancing employee experiences.

Roger Stephenson, Chair of Judges and Founding Partner, stephenson hamilton risley STUDIO

Acclaimed architect Roger Stephenson is the founding partner of his eponymous stephenson hamilton risley STUDIO. He has played a vital role in reshaping Manchester’s urban landscape, helming projects such as the multi-award-winning Chetham’s School of Music and Hallé St Peters, as well as leading on schemes with Urban Splash, Capital & Centric and Bruntwood.

Ana Rita Martins, Sustainability Lead, MCM

Currently the Sustainability Lead at MCM, Martins is an architect with a deep focus on sustainability – or regenerative design, as she prefers to call it. She is known for her forward-thinking approach and commitment to integrating environmental and social sustainability into architecture and interior design, working with environmental certification systems like BREEAM, LEED, and WELL frameworks. Martins is also a regular speaker at industry events and participates in collaborative research groups aimed at advocating sustainability in the industry.

Michael Woodford, Director, White Arkitekter

Woodford is an architect, partner and director of White Arkitekter’s London Studio, bringing over 20 years of design leadership to the team. Having designed, delivered and led multi-award-winning buildings in the UK and the Netherlands, his portfolio spans healthcare facilities, hotels and educational facilities. Woodford is responsible for White Arkitekter’s London portfolio which today includes ground-breaking projects such as the new Velindre Cancer Centre, predicted to be “the greenest hospital in the UK”. Under Woodford’s leadership, White’s London Studio is leading the way with low carbon design and the implementation of regenerative and biobased materials.

Remember, you have until 23:59 BST on Tuesday 24 September to get your best work in front of this year’s judges. Visit our dedicated awards page for more information on how to enter, and contact us with any queries at info@mixinteriors.com.