Ann-Marie Aguilar appointed Judging Coordinator for Fit Out Awards UK 2026

Ann-Marie Aguilar, Senior Vice President at the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), has been appointed Judging Coordinator for the Fit Out Awards UK 2026, bringing deep expertise in sustainable design, occupant wellbeing, and the built environment to oversee the evaluation of the UK's premier celebration of fit out excellence.

Aguilar joined IWBI in 2016 and operates from London as the organisation's lead for the EMEA region, overseeing day-to-day activities and serving as the primary point of contact for clients and design teams pursuing WELL Certification across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Her work centres on supporting early adopters of the WELL Building Standard, facilitating technical communication, developing alternative adherence pathways, and aligning WELL with local sustainability rating tools across diverse regulatory environments. 

That sustained engagement with the practical challenges of delivering healthy, high-performing built environments gives her a command of the fit out sector that spans design intent, technical delivery, and occupant outcome.

Over nearly a decade at IWBI, Aguilar has been instrumental in driving strategic adoption of WELL across the UK, Ireland, continental Europe, and the Middle East, working alongside BRE, Green Building Councils, and local market partners to embed the standard within mainstream practice. 

Her responsibilities have also extended to research, growth, recruitment, and education, reflecting a role that operates at the intersection of industry development and professional standards.

As Judging Coordinator, Aguilar will oversee an independent panel evaluating entries across 32 categories, from Fit Out Project of the Year and Fit Out Contractor of the Year to sector-specific project awards spanning hospitality, healthcare, residential, retail, public sector, and conservation, alongside awards for sustainability, collaboration, and product innovation. 

The panel includes Vanessa Brady of SBID, Vyvyan Byrne of VB Design, Mia Karlsson-Matthews of Mia Karlsson Interior Design, Dr Eshrar Latif of Cardiff University, Giuseppe Parito of Studio Seilern Architects, Professor Robert Schmidt III of Loughborough University, and Lydia Szewczyk of IWBI.

The Fit Out Awards UK 2026 gala takes place on 24 September 2026 at the Park Plaza London Riverbank. Entries close on 26 June 2026.

Visit the official Fit Out Awards UK website to explore categories, review past winners, and submit your entry. Subscribe to the newsletter for other news and updates.