The British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) met on Thursday 18th September for its Annual General Meeting (AGM), which provides members with the chance to learn about the Institute’s progress over the past twelve months and vote in new directors. The AGM was also an opportunity to announce the new BIID President for 2025-2026, Liz Bell who takes over from Angela Bardino.
Liz Bell is a BIID Registered Interior Designer and the Director of Absolute Project Management, a residential interior design and project management firm. Liz has led multiple design projects, consistently delivering spaces that are both effortlessly executed and enduringly successful.
As a Director of the BIID Council and former Chair of the BIID Sustainability Committee, she has helped to steer policy and strategy – encouraging and enabling the industry to improve its ecological impact, a subject she is particularly passionate about. Liz oversaw the writing of the BIID’s updated 2021 Code of Conduct and development of the Sustainable Specifying Guide. Liz regularly speaks at events as a leader in her field on topics such as sustainable interior design and professional development.
Liz commented: “It’s an incredible honour to be appointed President of the BIID. I’m proud to represent an organisation that champions excellence, integrity and innovation in interior design. As we navigate the evolving demands of our industry, from sustainability and regulation to creativity and client experience, I look forward to working with our talented community of BIID members to continue shaping a profession that is both forward-thinking and deeply rooted in professional standards.”
Anna Burles, Director of award-winning studio Run For The Hills, BIID Council member and chair of the Membership Committee, becomes the new BIID President Elect.
CPD Award
At the BIID, a strong commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) ensures that members stay informed and equipped to navigate a rapidly evolving industry. All BIID members are required to complete 20 hours of CPDs annually, helping to maintain high standards and up-to-date knowledge across the profession.
Each year, the CPD Award recognises the BIID member who has achieved the highest number of structured CPD hours. At the 2025 AGM, the award was presented to BIID Registered Interior Designer, Nicola Burt, having accrued an impressive 417 Structured CPD hours.
Merit Award
The Merit Award is one of the BIID’s most prestigious honours, recognising a member who has demonstrated exceptional achievement across three key areas: excellence in interior design practice, contribution to the development of the Institute, and commitment to the wider field of design education. Selected by the awards committee, the 2025 award was presented to previous CPD award winner, BIID Registered Interior Designer, Chloe Bullock.
Chloe has over 23 years of design experience, and is the founder of Materialise Interiors, a Brighton-based design studio that specialises in cruelty free, healthy and environmentally friendly residential and commercial interiors. Her ongoing commitment to sustainability, and vegan friendly solutions has led to her recognition as a the first ever Certified Vegan Designer as named by VeganDesign.org in 2018. Chloe is also a Founding Signatory for Interior Design Declares, supporting the interior design industry’s commitment in response to climate breakdown and biodiversity collapse. Chloe is the author of Sustainable Interior Design, published by RIBA books.
The AGM was preceded by the BIID Inside Knowledge conference which was held earlier in the day.
For more information about the BIID, please visit www.biid.org.uk
