At Hirsch Bedner Associates (HBA), we believe great design has the power to positively shape lives. With over 1,500 professionals across 25 offices in four regions, we collaborate with clients in more than 80 countries each year. Founded in 1965 by Howard Hirsch and Michael Bedner, HBA has built a legacy as a leader in hospitality interior design, evolving into a multidisciplinary collective spanning a broad range of design services. Today, we bring decades of expertise across sectors, creating environments – from hotels to homes, art to architecture – that go beyond function to inspire and evoke emotion. Recognised globally for excellence, HBA has ranked first on Interior Design magazine’s Hospitality Giants list for over 25 years and was recently named in Forbes’ inaugural list of America’s Top Hospitality Architects & Designers 2026.
Chris Godfrey, Global Co-CEO of HBA and a RIBA chartered architect, has over 25 years of international experience. He joined in 2014 to establish HBA Residential, growing it into a globally recognised leader in integrated design. Appointed Co-CEO in 2022, he introduced the ‘OneHBA’ framework, uniting the brand through integrated design, collective excellence, and exceptional delivery, while continuing to guide its global community to create spaces that inspire, connect, and elevate the human experience.
Katie Earl, Creative Director at HBA Residential, leads the studio’s most prestigious projects with a refined balance of elegance and modernity. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked on prime London residences including The Boltons, Cornwall Terrace and Eaton Square. Her bespoke, intuitive approach focuses on creating deeply personal spaces, informed by how people live and feel, alongside select work in hospitality and private members’ clubs.
Kevin Shek, Lead Product Designer at HBA Product, brings over a decade of experience creating bespoke collections for global hospitality and residential brands. Working across Europe, the Americas, and Southeast Asia, he designs culturally responsive products rooted in storytelling, material honesty, and contemporary living. Influenced by his Dutch upbringing and Asian heritage, his work blends European clarity with Asian spatial philosophy, balancing emotion and precision.
