Next Generation Awards 2026 Judging Complete Ahead of Tonight’s Celebration
Ahead of tonight’s Next Generation Awards 2026, Commercial Interiors UK and Design Insider are proud to recognise the expert judging panels who have helped shape this year’s awards.
Sponsored by Silentnight Contract, the Next Generation Awards celebrate the rising talent helping to define the future of commercial interiors. From emerging designers and apprentices to professionals making their mark in sales, leadership and marketing, the awards reflect the breadth of skill, ambition and creativity across the sector. They also underline the commercial interiors industry’s strength as a vibrant, innovative and rewarding place to build a career.
With such a strong field of nominations and submissions this year, the role of the judges has once again been central to the integrity and value of the awards process. Across both the member awards and the student award, the judges have brought expertise, care and thoughtful consideration to every stage of assessment.
Independent judging for the member award categories
The four CIUK member award categories were reviewed by an independent judging panel made up of professionals from outside both the Commercial Interiors UK team and its member businesses. This independence is an important part of the process, ensuring that every nomination is assessed fairly, objectively and on its own merit.
This year’s member award judges were selected for their breadth of experience across the commercial interiors sector, with each bringing specialist knowledge in at least one of the award categories.
The 2026 member award judging panel included:
Jasper Sanders, Founder and Director, Jasper Sanders & Partners
Jasper Sanders is the Director and Founder of interior design studio Jasper Sanders + Partners. The Manchester-based business began in 2013 and, over the last decade, has established itself as a leading and award-winning space innovation studio. Principal work sectors include commercial residential, incorporating BTR, Co-Living and PBSA interiors. Jasper’s philosophy, deeply embedded in the culture of the practice, reflects a commitment to innovation and the reinvention of architecture from the inside out.
Cora Kemp, Director, Informare
Cora has over 20 years’ experience with high profile luxury interior clients, specialising in press communications, promotions and events. As the former senior press officer at Harrods, Cora maintains fantastic contacts within the interior consumer lifestyle press creating press strategies, trips and events resulting in exceptional coverage for clients within influential titles including House & Garden, Homes & Gardens, Livingetc, Elle Decoration, The Times Magazine, The Guardian Weekend and You Magazine.
Chris Ellis, Founder and Managing Director, Barhatch and Box
A career in the FMCG Drinks Industry spanning 25+ years with Pernod Ricard, Holsten UK & William Grants leading teams of up to 175 people and delivery of multi million pound P&L’s. Now the founder of a bespoke management consultancy – Barhatch & Box Ltd. Consulting across a breadth of clients from start up to multi nationals, with a Non-Executive Directorship at Onyx Events, an Events & Experiential Marketing agency. A rich depth of experiences fashioned from the very beginning in field sales, through to Board roles and across a variety of FMCG categories and industries.
Steve Hanstock, Managing Director, Vigour Training
Steve is the founder and Managing Director of Vigour Training and has worked in the learning & development field for over 25 years. Having worked across several B2B & B2C industries his key focus for the past 15 years has been helping those in the Construction Industry. Having worked with a number of main & specialist subcontractors, manufacturers and merchants he’s advised, consulted and provided learning support to leadership, project, commercial, design & business development teams. With a specialist interest in Leadership he combines commercial experience with his academic background to create compelling events to shape and change team behaviour and organisational practice
Judging took place in two stages. First, each judge independently reviewed every nomination against the application criteria, carefully assessing the evidence provided. The panel then came together online to discuss the scores awarded to each nominee and determine a shortlist for each category, a winner, and where appropriate, a highly commended entry.
As with any robust judging process, there was both agreement and debate within the panel. Each judge approached the process with a shared determination to make the right decision and to ensure the most deserving individuals were recognised. Particular attention was given to applications that were substantiated with facts, figures and measurable evidence, clearly demonstrating how nominees had exceeded the expectations of their role.
A distinct process for the Exceptional Student Award
The judging process for the Exceptional Student Award followed a different format, designed to reflect the nature of design education and the way students develop and present their ideas.
Participating universities were provided with a comprehensive design brief, which five of the six courses integrated into their syllabus. One course offered the brief independently to its students. The project was to be completed within five days, with each university able to decide how that time was structured.
This year’s brief asked students to design a social space within a modern elderly living setting, with a focus on community, independence and wellbeing. Students were encouraged to move beyond institutional models and instead take inspiration from residential and hospitality design. The brief also required them to consider inclusive and accessible design, showing how their concept could support physical and cognitive needs through layout, atmosphere, lighting, acoustics and materials.
The first stage of judging was completed by each course leader, who selected three designs to progress to the next stage. These submissions were then reviewed digitally by the judging panel, who assessed each entry independently against the brief and judging criteria before coming together to select one finalist from each course.
Those finalists were then invited to meet with the judging panel online to present their work, talk through their thinking and answer questions. For many of the students, this was their first experience of presenting in this way, making the standard of presentation all the more impressive. Across the board, the quality of work and communication was exceptional.
The judges focused not only on how effectively each student had answered the brief through their design work, but also on how clearly they communicated their decision making both digitally and in person. Constructive and supportive feedback was given to every finalist during the online sessions and again in writing once judging had been completed.
The 2026 Exceptional Student Award judging panel included:
Jen Bernard, Creative Director and Managing Director, Bernard Interiors
Bernard Interiors is an award winning interior design practice working with a variety of distinguished clients across the UK and abroad on multi-million pound properties in the luxury residential, retirement, care and hotel sectors. As founder and Managing Director, Jen Bernard works with a passionate and dedicated team of designers, who love what they do!
Karen Nairstone, Head of Business Development and Partnerships, Bernard Interiors
With over 20 years in design, Karen champions human-centred environments that enhance resident wellbeing while delivering operational performance and measurable ROI. Karen brings together investors, operators, and developers to create commercially successful, future-focused care environments.
Diana Celella, Interior Designer, The Drawing Room Interiors
Diana Celella is an international award-winning designer, Director of The Drawing Room Interiors, Associate Consultant Hammond Care, Dementia Choice, as well as being Past President of SBID and Past Chairman of the Healthcare Design Panel (HDAC). She works in the commercial Interior sector, specializing in healthcare projects, she is recognized throughout the industry as an expert in implementing evidence-based design. Leveraging the wisdom of her knowledge and skills, Diana is a University Lecturer for MA Interior Design, a position inspired by her desire to share her designing knowledge and skills. She is a member of the British Institute of Interior Design (BIID) and in 2016 she was named West Midland Woman of the Year for her contributions to Design Education.
Alys Bryan, Editorial Director, Design Insider
Alys is a knowledgeable design editor who is focused on instigating conversations, both online and in-person, with industry experts, which challenge, educate and advance the commercial interior sector. Alys’s training and 20 years of professional experience as a furniture designer for the commercial sector make her uniquely placed to lead Design Insider as Editorial Director. Leading the editorial content of the publication, she curates unique industry events, which bring together commercial designers and suppliers. Alys is a speaker and presenter for the commercial design sector, hosting important discussions at leading industry events.
Recognising the expertise behind the awards
While tonight’s event will rightly celebrate the finalists and winners, it is also an opportunity to recognise the time, expertise and commitment of the judging panels behind the scenes.
Their insight, discussion and careful assessment have played an important role in ensuring that the Next Generation Awards 2026 continue to be a credible and meaningful celebration of rising talent across commercial interiors.
Commercial Interiors UK and Design Insider extend sincere thanks to all of this year’s judges for their contribution, and look forward to celebrating with the industry tonight in Manchester.