At this year’s Commercial Interiors UK Annual Luncheon, Carolyn Mitchell delivered her final speech as Chairwoman, addressing more than 540 members and guests gathered to celebrate their shared community.
In her heartfelt and thought-provoking address, Carolyn reflected on what truly draws people together, on why, year after year, we choose to gather, connect, and celebrate the very best of who we are and what we do. She spoke about the importance of community, the responsibility of leadership, and the vital role our industry plays in shaping spaces that bring people together and enrich everyday life.
Carolyn reminded us that success is never built alone. It depends on collaboration, on care for our teams and clients, and on ensuring that everyone we work with feels their lives are improved by what we do, materially, visually, and emotionally.
As she steps down as Chairwoman and from the CIUK Board, Carolyn leaves a legacy of integrity, inclusivity, and unwavering belief in the value of connection. Her words challenge us to continue building not only great projects, but a stronger, more supportive community for the future.
Read Carolyn Mitchell’s full speech below:
"Hello and a warm welcome to all our members and their guests. Another busy year has flown by, and once again, we gather to celebrate the very best of who we are and what we do. It’s wonderful to see so many familiar faces - and to those joining us for the first time, whether as guests or a new member company - a very special welcome to you.
I’m confident today will be memorable, and I hope it becomes a tradition you’ll want to be part of for years to come. Events like this take months of planning, and they always make me reflect on the traditions we’ve built - and why we choose to return year after year. What draws us from far and wide, to be here today? Well, over the past 40 years, this day has never been just about networking, introductions, or closing deals. If that is your only focus, you are missing the magic.
Each year, your feedback reminds us that this gathering is about something far greater: it’s about the future. It’s about building something exciting, being inspired, celebrating our connections, and enjoying each other’s company as friends and colleagues. But at its very heart, it’s about staying connected - about how we contribute to our industry and wider society, and how we shape the future for the next generation.
A famous politician once said, “There is no such thing as society - only individual men and women and families.” Perhaps that rings true for some, but it’s certainly not my experience. I believe society and community absolutely do exist - and I see a powerful reminder of that right here today. It’s the very essence of who we are as Commercial Interiors UK.In fact we exist because of it. In both life and business, we rely on those around us to provide the support and services that make everything possible.
We benefit from a complex web of relationships that extend far beyond family and friends. And in business—where profitability often takes centre stage - we depend on community to supply our workforce and maintain the infrastructure that keep us going. So, when we talk about ethical approaches to our work, it’s not just about doing business well. It’s about ensuring that everyone we engage with - employees, clients, and the wider community - feel that their lives are improved by what we offer: materially, visually, and emotionally.
And what better way to deliver that than through the commercial spaces that you all create? What an incredible opportunity we have - to shape people’s lives, and experiences. Think about the offices we work in, the hotels and restaurants we love, the schools our children attend, the hospitals we rely on, airports , train stations, gyms, libraries, and stadiums. All the special occasions in our lives - weddings, holidays, family celebrations - often take place in commercial spaces. These places form the backdrop of our everyday lives and create memories that we treasure. That’s why we carry a huge responsibility: to serve everyone well.
To reflect the diversity of our society. To be welcoming and inclusive, regardless of age, background, or ability. Perhaps more so now than at any time in recent history, anything that brings us together ,should be celebrated. Earlier this year, I visited Grayson Perry’s exhibition in London. It was a powerful reminder of how art and design can reflect community, identity, and belonging - and that’s exactly what our commercial spaces should do too. William Morris famously once said, “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.”
And I believe that principle applies just as much outside the home as within it. Because beauty with purpose is a very powerful tool. Usefulness means thoughtful layouts and intuitive design that make spaces effortless to navigate. But beauty brings joy - the way a space catches the light, how colour and materials uplift us, how an environment can improve our mood simply by being in it. For those of you that know Thomas Heatherwick’s podcast series “Building Soul,” I wonder if you too found yourself nodding in agreement. Why on earth settle for bland and forgettable when we could be creating places that truly enrich people’s lives? Because when spaces fall short, they leave us confused, excluded, even lost. They can feel repressive, lonely, and frustrating - and instead of encouraging connection, they push us further apart.
So, expectations of us are high: we are asked to deliver human-centred design, ensure cost-effectiveness, and build sustainably for the future. But the responsibility shouldn’t end with the designer. Our businesses must live up to the same principles—caring for our teams, investing in skills and technology, and embedding best practice in everything we do. In that way, we can meaningfully contribute to our society. It is a long list - but it’s non-negotiable. No one achieves this alone. Every successful project depends on a network of collaborators. I’m reminded of a powerful quote by Jane Goodall, the renowned anthropologist who sadly passed away a few weeks ago: “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” That’s why our commercial community - and the contribution each of you makes - is so vital.
Because you have the power to be the difference. So today does matters. These relationships are the foundation of everything we hope to achieve - and its makes me personally proud to be part of this incredible industry, and to have had the privilege of serving on the CIUK board for over 30 years. At the end of this year, I will be stepping down as your Chairwoman and handing over to Stuart Taylor, your incoming Chairman. Much has been achieved in recent years, and I know the association will be in excellent hands under Stuart’s leadership. Remember that you, as member companies and individuals, are the shareholders of this association. Please continue to champion it, support it, and contribute to it. If you continue to be there for Design Insider and Commercial Interiors UK, it will always be there for you.
As always, I hope you enjoy this wonderful afternoon together, Thank you."