Meet the Team
We are an interior and architecture design studio that creates exceptional spaces worldwide.
Stuart Horwood
PARTNER & CEO
Having been instrumental in the setting up of 1508 London in 2009, Stuart brings more than 35 years of industry leadership and executive management experience.
As CEO, Stuart sets and drives the corporate direction and strategy. He is responsible for the successful management and execution of 1508 London and the company’s vision.
Previously, Stuart has held senior positions in UK and New Zealand governments, was Senior Vice President at Morgan Stanley and was Chief Commercial Officer at BT Wholesale & Ventures, with revenue exceeding £11 billion,and ultimately serving as Managing Director, leading BT Group to become Europe’s largest telecoms service provider.
Hamish Brown
Partner | Business Development & Marketing Director
Having been involved since 1508 London’s inception, Hamish has been pivotal to the growth of the company and has championed the studio’s expansion from private residential into multi-unit developments and hospitality, helping 1508 London become one the world’s most revered architecture and interior design studios. As an Interior Architect, Hamish’s ability to understand every facet of the design process ensures he is perfectly positioned to help support clients throughout their journey at 1508 London. His profound commitment to clients’ experiences has installed a dedication to the creation of timeless, elegant spaces of the highest quality, all of which are informed by a unique narrative, grounded in functionality with no one set style. Prior to 1508 London, Hamish held senior positions at established property development companies including Stonemartin before founding his own studio Hamish Benjamin specialising in prime central London residential development.
Laura Lockwood
PARTNER & STUDIO DIRECTOR
Laura, a Chartered Architect, is 1508 London’s Studio Director and is responsible for managing the teams of designers, architects and visualisers to ensure the smooth functioning of the creative studio. Prior to joining, Laura was Head of Projects at Carlisle Design Studio, where she was accountable for delivery of their portfolio of 18 residential projects across 5 different countries with a combined construction value in excess of £250m+. Her past projects have included high profile residential properties such as One Hyde Park, One Tower Bridge and Southbank Place, alongside a wide range of private developments such as a 30,000sqft Grade II private members club in Mayfair, London; a 50,000ft2 luxury Grade II residence in Regent’s Park, London, as well as numerous highend residential developments in both Russia and China. As a result of her past projects, Laura has developed a strong understanding of every RIBA Project Stage.
Melanie Bowhill
Director HR
Melanie, a Chartered Fellow of CIPD, is 1508 London’s HR Director and is responsible for the design and delivery of the People Strategy in support of the Business Strategy. Melanie started her career at Siemens, a Global Fortune 500 Company, where she spent her time supporting several businesses concluding at their Head Office in Frimley.
Melanie comes with 20 years’ experience in the field with a depth of generalist knowledge. She has a keen interest in psychology and is a qualified business Coach & Mentor who has successfully coached Executives in the FTSE 100 and is certified to use psychometric testing in recruitment and team development.
Lizzie Mackay
M.D. OF PROCUREMENT
Joining 1508 London to initially manage Operations, Lizzie established 1508 Procurement Ltd in 2016. Lizzie has spent the majority of her career managing logistics and facilities ventures for multinational companies. Lizzie’s experience in successfully delivering multifaceted projects is testament to her results-orientated attitude. Understanding that strategic delivery will inevitably inspire change, Lizzie works tirelessly to ensure project works allow for flexibility whilst ensuring deadlines are met. These skills compliment Lizzie’s management of an annual multi million-pound FF&E spend across projects in residential, hospitality and development markets worldwide.
Over the past three years, Lizzie has fine-tuned a carefully selected global supply chain that delivers the highest quality, accesses the finest brands and delivers the kind of flexibility our valued clients demand, irrespective of their sector or location. Lizzie ensures each bespoke collaboration guarantees quality without design ever being compromised.
James Murray
COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR
With almost 20 years experience working in the UK, Ireland and the Middle East, James is an accomplished senior architectural technologist and project manager. James’ exceptional technical ability and a passion for great design have ensured the delivery of a broad range of projects. His experience delivering multi-unit and luxury residential, hotels and commercial developments have given him invaluable insight and knowledge which he brings to the studio. James is practised at overseeing a large team, communicating with clients, the design team and main contractors, as well as navigating the finer points of contracts and statutory regulations in the execution of a project. James’ role has evolved with the company, starting as a Technical Designer and culminating in becoming Commercial Director. He heads up the commercial team and is responsible for all contracting operations in projects’ from inception through to completion.
Laura Cutarelli
Senior Studio Design Manager
Laura completed her Masters Degree in Architecture in Italy and is a chartered Architect ARB.
With a passion for the arts and creative Design from a young age, Laura’s award-winning artwork has been selected at the Exhibitions for New Artists at the National Gallery of Modern And Contemporary Art and the Auditorium in Rome.
Working extensively with private clients in London in the Middle-East, Laura has led the design of properties the world’s most exclusive enclaves including those owned by renowned Royal families.
Her multidisciplined background results with the utmost detail sharing historical, innovative, emotive and technical aspects in all her designs.
Ross Grier
Studio Design Manager
Ross, a Studio Design Manager at 1508 London, is a chartered Architect who brings 10 years of experience in high-end residential, hotel, and healthcare sectors. He studied and worked in competitive residential markets globally following a grant at the National University of Singapore. His master’s thesis explored the evolving role of design managers in construction, earning publication in the Architects Journal with multiple national design award nominations. Before joining 1508 London, he contributed to prestigious London firms, handling heritage and conservation work on His Majesty’s Crown Estate, notably within the Georgian period John Nash portfolio
Ailsa Connery
Regional Director, Europe, Design Principal
A qualified Architect with strong artistic and design strategy skills, Ailsa’s strengths translate into holistic design concepts and distinctive proposals. Originally from Dublin and a member of RIBA and RIAI, Ailsa has worked on a varied range of projects,
Ailsa approaches the challenges and opportunities offered by each design project strategically, with passion and creativity. This is reflected in her completed works, which include commercial, hospitality and healthcare projects, and a diverse range of residential work in London.
Since joining 1508 London, Ailsa has worked on a variety of private individual residences, private developer schemes and large scale residential projects including a renovation project in Battersea and a new build residence in Kensington.
An excellent communicator; skilful at both leading projects and liaising with clients, she offers the complete range of skill sets needed to execute a project to the highest level.
Marina Breves
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, Europe & London
In the last 8 years, Marina has been instrumental part in the design and delivery of high-profile residential developments and hospitality projects. She is an experienced Part III Architect, having graduated from Bartlett School of Architecture and a Masters in Sustainable Environmental Design.
Due to her expertise and connections she is part of the European new business team that ensures the interactions with clients are the most professional and suitable ones.
Marina is also responsible for the expansion of 1508 London to Latin America and she manages the local clients due to her understanding of the region’s culture, limitations and needs.
Sarah Timm
ASSOCIATE Architect
Having qualified as an Architect, Sarah began her career at Candy & Candy before Carlisle Design Studio with projects including a private members club in St James’s and a significant villa in Phuket, Thailand. Thereafter, at Michaelis Boyd Associates as a Part 2 Project Architect, she was responsible for the design and delivery of the newly refurbished Groucho Club in Soho along with a boutique hotel in Amsterdam.
Sarah’s has deep personal interest in clean and contemporary design drawing reference from modernism and the early 20th century. She prides herself on her ability to design informed by a narrative inspired by a project’s architecture & interior in tandem, placing equal importance on both.
Asari Inameti
ASSOCIATE
After graduating from the University of the Arts London, Asari has several years of experience across a wide sector of the design industry, ranging from hospitality and super-yacht interiors, to high end residential projects. Asari also has a previous background in project management having graduated with LLB (Hons) in Law from the University of Nottingham in 2006 and working in finance as a Project Manager for Citibank and Visa, before retraining in Interior Design.
From this diverse background Asari has found her true passion in Interior Design, first working at Shaun Clarkson ID where she developed her skills with commercial clients such as Harvey Nichols and Del Aziz. From here she then worked for March and White, showing a strong attention to detail and the highest level of quality whilst designing the interiors for one of the world’s largest private super-yachts.
Since joining 1508 London in 2017, Asari has focussed her creative skills on FF&E Design, forming key relationships with first class suppliers and craftsmen, supporting her ability to create both unique and bespoke designs. She has worked on various key projects including the significant development of a country estate, a Grade II listed private residential project in Chelsea, and most recently the refurbishment of the Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel in Knightsbridge.
David Nartey-Tokoli
Senior Architectural Designer
David studied RIBA Part I at the CASS and completed his Part II at Oxford Brookes University in 2017 with Honours.
He has had previous experience working on Urban schemes, public realm, high-end residential and commercial projects, amongst others with 5 years’ experience having worked for practices in Ghana and the UK.
Largely interested in the physical fabric of a site be it; form, use or spatial characteristics, and its relationship with the user/users, technology and sustainability; David enjoys working, judiciously, through the architectural process and is constantly thinking about architecture through sketches, modelling and photography.
Since Joining 1508 London, David has assisted within design teams on Residential and Hotel projects, as well as, a Private Members Club in London and Internationally. He is a conscientious designer with an eye for detail and resolving design issues. He is also working towards gaining his Part III qualification.
Silviya Stoyanova
Senior Architect
Upon completing her Part I studies in Central Saint Martins, Silviya spent 3 years working as a Senior Project Manager at a London based boutique AV company working on High-End residential projects for private clients in primary Central London locations and Nigeria. The project management role and collaboration with other professionals helped her expand her knowledge on delivering all aspects of High-end residential projects.
Following this experience, she returned to university to complete her Part II studies whilst working as an Architectural Assistant at Ardalane Interiors. During her time at Ardalane Interiors, Silviya’s skills expanded across the commercial sector, designing for big clients such as Capita.
Silviya is a creative and determined designer with strong attention to detail and passion for creating timeless designs tailored to the project’s history and client’s brief.
Silviya joined 1508 London in 2019 and has worked on projects including Chelsea Creek development in Imperial Wharf, Belgravia Gate Townhouses and Golden Island residential development in Moscow.
Alexandra Sherry
FF&E DESIGNER
Having completed a BA (Hons) in Business Management at Queen Mary’s, University of London and a Graduate Diploma in Law at Bristol University, Alexandra took a career change in 2016, graduating in Interior Design at KLC School of Design. Alexandra has since then gained experience working on both high-end residential and hospitality projects for both private clients and developers.
Whilst working at Mokka Design Alexandra designed the FF&E for a prime, luxury residential project with a private client on Eaton Square, and gained luxury international project experience designing the FF&E for a private client’s Latvian Country Estate.
Since joining 1508 London Alexandra has worked on projects based in London and abroad, including contemporary FF&E design for a high-end residential project in Hong Kong and highly bespoke, experiential FF&E design for a Grade II listed property at no. 6 &7 Grosvenor Place which will become a new and exclusive Private Members Club.
With a background in business and account management and strong relationship building skills Alexandra is driven, organised and has the ability to listen to and translate client requirements into aesthetically pleasing and functional interiors, with a particular interest in working on luxury, residential projects.
Anthony Taylor
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, MIDDLE EAST, DESIGN PRINCIPAL
With over 18 years’ hospitality experience, including 10 in the Middle East, Anthony has had the opportunity to work with leading thinkers in multiple regions across the world including Europe, Australasia, the Middle East and Asia. This has led to an innovative and creative approach to design that embraces culture at its very heart.
As a designer, Anthony is passionate about finding creative solutions and producing captivating spaces. Driven by the understanding that great design plays a key part in every property, Anthony leverages this wealth of knowledge to carefully curate experiences and journeys, to give a holistic perspective to the client’s requirements and lifestyle.
Joe Chamberlin
REGIONAL DIRECTOR, MIDDLE EAST
Following 10 years of experience working in the UK, Europe and throughout the Middle East, Joe is responsible for our newly opened international office in Dubai. With historic project work ranging from high-end residential to large commercial and hospitality projects, his understanding of client requirements in the region is invaluable. The company’s ambition to grow our portfolio throughout the Middle-East will be spearheaded by Joe who will take on the stable of current projects throughout the Gulf including United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. He will also be responsible for the establishment of our new design studio and the development of business relationships throughout the region.
Sophie Alexander
ASSOCIATE
Sophie completed her studies at The University of Portsmouth graduating with a BA (Hons) Interior Architecture & Design, gaining experience in high-end interiors from the start during her third year placement in London at Broadway Malyan. Sophie has international experience living in the Middle East for three years, working with a number of high-end brands such as LVMH, Cartier and Bentley.
Since Joining 1508 London three years ago, Sophie has worked with both private clients and developers on projects based in London and abroad, working on an array of high-end residential and hospitality projects. Chelsea Barracks town houses, nine exquisite penthouses in Trinity Square, St. Petersburg. Most significantly the successful renovation and re design of the Grade II listed Old War Offices, to become several apartments as well as the amenities. Working recently to complete the Grade II listed properties at 6 &7 Grosvenor Place to become a private members club.
With a multi-disciplinary background in architecture, design and fashion. A driven and enthusiastic designer. Sophie strongly believes in meaningful, honest design, taking time to understand a client’s brief, designing with creativity and originality.
Luke Boncey
Senior Designer
Having worked within the product and furniture design industry, Luke’s experience designing and producing highly bespoke cabinetry and accessories expands over seven years. Moving into interior architecture, Luke’s extensive technical understanding and sensitivity to details and elevated levels of quality sets him apart from his peers. Luke has completed an array of projects both privately and within renowned architectural and interior design studios in the UK with projects ranging from international luxury cosmetic brands store design to private executive members clubs in England.
Luke joins 1508 bringing his proven track record in the design industry and vast technical experience. Eager to continue growing his knowledge, his current projects range from new built Four Seasons Suites in China to Michelin Star restaurants in Bangkok Thailand.
Hannah Hutchinson
Business Development Director, Asia Pacific
Having started her career in luxury hospitality design in Kuala Lumpur, working for the renowned Jean-Michel Gathy on projects such as the Aman Summer Palace, Cheval Blanc Randheli and the Chedi Andermatt, Hannah moved back to London in 2014 to focus on luxury residential design at 1508 London where she was promoted from designer to support Hamish Brown, as Business Development Manager, playing a key part in 1508’s appointment on the OWO Raffles Residence, amongst other significant projects.
With her established network of connections across Asia and her previous roles within the company, Hannah is uniquely positioned to lead the successful growth of 1508 London across the Asia Pacific region.
Leo Bertacchini
Regional Director, Americas, DESIGN PRINCIPAL
From creative direction through to the development of conceptual, architecture, furniture and lighting designs, Leo draws upon his unparalleled experience and skills honed by a deep knowledge and understanding of craftsmanship gained through his early years at luxury powerhouses including LVMH, Louis Vuitton, Linley, Yves St. Laurent and Ralph Lauren.
Sensitive to client’s needs and having built an exceptional track record in completing a vast array of luxury projects across private residential, development, hospitality, naval and aviation sectors worldwide, Leo’s warm and charismatic nature is matched by an uncompromising passion for detail and quality.
Over the last twelve years, his visionary talent has seen him lead interior design studios including Linley, Carlisle Design Studio and Allect Group with notable projects including a 60m Benetti Superyacht, Knightsbridge’s One Hyde Park, Claridges and Battersea Power Station’s Penthouses.
Since joining 1508 London, Leo has led revered projects including Mandarin Oriental Residences in Beverly Hills and Four Seasons Suzhou in China, in addition to celebrated addresses throughout prime central London.
Leo Bertacchini
Regional Director, Americas, DESIGN PRINCIPAL
From creative direction through to the development of conceptual, architecture, furniture and lighting designs, Leo draws upon his unparalleled experience and skills honed by a deep knowledge and understanding of craftsmanship gained through his early years at luxury powerhouses including LVMH, Louis Vuitton, Linley, Yves St. Laurent and Ralph Lauren.
Sensitive to client’s needs and having built an exceptional track record in completing a vast array of luxury projects across private residential, development, hospitality, naval and aviation sectors worldwide, Leo’s warm and charismatic nature is matched by an uncompromising passion for detail and quality.
Over the last twelve years, his visionary talent has seen him lead interior design studios including Linley, Carlisle Design Studio and Allect Group with notable projects including a 60m Benetti Superyacht, Knightsbridge’s One Hyde Park, Claridges and Battersea Power Station’s Penthouses.
Since joining 1508 London, Leo has led revered projects including Mandarin Oriental Residences in Beverly Hills and Four Seasons Suzhou in China, in addition to celebrated addresses throughout prime central London.