Vanessa Brady OBE, founder and CEO of the Society of British and International Interior Design (SBID), has been confirmed as a member of the judging panel for the Fit Out Awards UK 2026, bringing over thirty years of experience across interior design, construction, procurement, and the professional development of the design and build sector to the evaluation of the UK's premier celebration of fit out excellence.

Brady's career has taken her well beyond practice into the governance and advocacy of the interior design profession at the highest levels. She speaks on behalf of government for the Creative Industries, representing the interests of interior designers across the built environment, and received an OBE from the Queen for services to Interior Design and the UK Economy. This is a recognition of a contribution to the sector that extends from individual project delivery to systemic professional representation. 

Most recently, she was awarded the Freedom of the City of London following a campaign to protect the intellectual property rights of interior designers in the UK, a cause that speaks to her sustained commitment to raising the standards and safeguarding the interests of practitioners across commercial interiors and workspace design alike.

Her academic and civic honours reinforce that standing. Brady holds an honorary Doctorate of Design from Solent University, awarded in recognition of her achievements in interior design education, and won the Woman in the City Award for the Built Environment in 2013. Those recognitions reflect a career that has shaped not only individual projects but the professional landscape within which interior architecture, office design, and workplace interiors are practised and valued.

The Fit Out Awards UK 2026 spans 32 categories covering the full range of the fit out sector, from Fit Out Project of the Year and office fit out categories across size and region to sector-specific awards in hospitality, healthcare, retail, residential, and conservation, alongside awards for sustainability, collaboration, and product innovation. 

Brady joins Judging Coordinator Ann-Marie Aguilar of IWBI, 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 awards gala will take place on 24 September 2026 at the Park Plaza London Riverbank.

Visit the official Fit Out Awards UK website to explore categories, review past winners, and view the full judging panel. Subscribe to the newsletter for other news and updates.