Greater London Enterprise Awards 2020

26 | Greater London Awards 2020 27 | Greater London Awards 2020 Founded in 2015, Barbara Fassoni Architects is a London-based architecture and design studio involved in a range of projects across the UK & Italy. Following the firm’s well-deserved success in the Greater London Enterprise Awards 2020, we touched base with Barbara Fassoni to find out more. With an Italian background arising from university studies and a wide range of working experiences, Barbara Fassoni Architects brings to the table an international point of view to most projects they take on. To start, Barbara provides a brief overview of the firm and offers more insight into its clientele. “From the outset, our mission has been to create simple, contemporary architecture with an emphasis on space, light, and specific use of materials. Listening carefully to our client’s needs, we aim to take the opportunity to enhance the potential of any project. Every single step of the design and building process is featured by an attentive work, from the first sketch to the last furniture element. “Collectively, we embrace challenges as opportunities and innovate in resolving them. While aiming to provide the most significant benefits, we actively seek to drive improvement through our company, our people and the work that we do. Every day we become better at what we do, focusing on high standard results, delivering design projects on time, managing consultants, information, and budget. “Since the beginning, while working on an international basis our expertise in architectural design has come to the fore in several projects, with clients including residential, offices, work for private clients as well as multinational companies such as Mediaset and Fuji.” The UK architecture industry can prove to be an extremely competitive one to operate in, particularly with so many design firms having decades of experience under their belt. However, as Barbara goes on to explain, the firm have been able to distinguish themselves from its closest rivals, largely thanks to the different backgrounds and diverse cultures of the team. “The purpose of architecture should be to improve human life and with our approach, while working Best Architecture & Design Studio 2020 - North West London closely alongside the client we are able to achieve our objectives. With a team featuring people from different backgrounds, varying points of view are brought together, meaning our team’s knowledge and experience shines through in every project.” The internal culture at Barbara Fassoni Architects is typically defined by employee satisfaction. Moreover, as Barbara herself points out, bringing people together through different activities is one of the ways that the firm maintains a positive work environment. “Sharing experiences and teambuilding workshops help us to invigorate our different backgrounds. On top of this engagement and commitment are undoubtedly the skills and qualities we look for.” Looking ahead to what the future has in store for the firm, Barbara Fassoni Architects upcoming projects all share a common factor, creating more sustainable and accessible buildings. Bringing the interview to a close, Barbra signs off by revealing just a few of the exciting plans that lie in the pipeline for one of the best architecture & design studios in North West London in the years to come. “Shortly, we will be developing new ideas to focus on green hospitality to create an eco-beach in Italy. With this project our primary focuses are sustainable materials for structures, accessibility for disabled people, a water-recovering system to reduce wasted water, and the use of technologies to build an efficient energy-saving system using renewable sources.” Company: Barbara Fassoni Architects Contact: Barbara Fassoni Web Address: www.bfa-architects.com Oct20030 Most Client-Centric Luxury Lifestyle PR Agency 2020 Founded in 2017, Kitten & Shark Ltd is an enthusiastic and forward-thinking luxury lifestyle PR agency. Having recently found success in SME News’ Greater London Enterprise Awards 2020, we caught up with firm’s CEO, Clemmie Mason-Pearson to find out more about the one of the most client-centric luxury lifestyle PR agencies in the industry today. Since the beginning, with an eager eye for quality, Kitten & Shark Ltd have been passionate about delivering the best results for its clients whether it is from a consumer facing perspective, the calibre of the coverage generated or the partnerships formed. To begin, Clemmie provides a brief overview of the firm and offers more insight into its typical clientele. “As a PR agency, we approach each campaign with a bespoke strategy, tailored to the client’s exact requirements. Whether it is a new launch, to re-ignite interest in a brand, promote a specific theme, season or product, Kitten & Shark can offer a wide range of skills and services to drive brand awareness and ultimately generate sales. With an experienced team of PR Professionals to call upon, the majority of our clients tend to work in the hospitality, health & wellbeing, and luxury consumer brands sectors.” Operating in a competitive industry like PR can present a number of challenges, but as Clemmie goes on to explain, by implementing a meticulous client approach the firm have managed to remain at the forefront of the industry. “While we build reputations for brands, we successfully launch products, promote places, profile people and arrange events & partnerships. Although we do focus on maintaining our strong media relations, most of all we work with clients to identify what they consider a successful PR campaign looks like and then we deliver it.” As the PR industry continues to evolve it has become more apparent that agencies need to adapt with the times to remain competitive. Moreover, as Clemmie explains further, this has certainly been the case for Kitten & Shark. “My background has always been in the hotel PR sector, but as the PR world becomes more saturated, we have to change with the times and not just focus on one industry. This was exactly my plan when setting up Kitten & Shark in 2017, we had to broaden our horizons to incorporate the wider luxury lifestyle market. Fortunately, this has kept us in a good position during COVID-19 and with a broad spectrum of clients we have been able to continue trading, whether online, or as an alternative to everyday necessities.” Although a hierarchy can help an organisation achieve its objectives and give departments a certain amount of authority, this isn’t something Clemmie is a huge fan of as she comments on the internal culture in place at Kitten & Shark. “Whilst everyone in the team has a role, I don’t like to create a hierarchy. Moreover, by encouraging a very friendly approach, whether internally or with clients, we ensure of a much more approachable and engaging working relationship. When you enjoy pitching and securing coverage as much as I do in preparing new business proposals, then it becomes easier to instil this in all our team members too.” As a London based PR agency, Kitten & Shark is perfectly located to be able to generate national as well as local interest for clients, as Clemmie points out. “Having worked with the travel and lifestyle national media for over 12 years now, we have built close knit ties with them and they actively “As a PR agency, we approach each campaign with a bespoke strategy, tailored to the client’s exact requirements.” Oct20240 look to us for news, most of which are still based in London, enabling us to meet on a regular basis to update them with client news. As a vibrant city and a place that encourages work and play, London is a great location for us all.” Finally, Clemmie comments on the future prospects of Kitten & Shark, sharing her goals and plans for the remainder of 2020 and beyond. “Looking ahead, our aim is quite straightforward, to grow and become more successful!” Company: Kitten & Shark Ltd Contact: Clemmie Mason-Pearson Web Address: www.kittenandshark.com