Tolù Adẹ̀kọ́

Co-Founder

London, England, United Kingdom18 yrs experience
Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

  • Nearly two decades of international design experience.
  • Expert in luxury interior design across multiple sectors.
  • Strong network of international and local suppliers.
Stackforce AI infers this person is a luxury interior design expert with extensive experience in hospitality and residential sectors.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Interior DesignBrandingLeadershipStrategyProject ManagementSalesCollaborationFf&e DesignResearch

Other Skills

Graphic DesignCommunicationsManagementConsultancyFF&E SpecificationsClient PresentationsConcept DevelopmentSupplier RelationsMarketingBudgetingSupplier NegotiationCommunicationBudget ManagementPresentationBusiness Strategy

About

Tolù is the visionary behind Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co. He takes a holistic approach to design, collaborating with artisans, craftsmen, and makers who are the best in their field to create a unified aesthetic that is timeless yet globally contemporary. Every facet of every project is carefully considered and chosen for a reason—to tell a unique story. Tolù has held several senior positions at renowned interior design firms, including David Collins Studio. He has almost two decades of international experience producing strong conceptual luxury designs for the maritime, residential, hospitality and F&B interior design industry. He has worked on several prominent projects, from hotels to resort islands, as well as restaurants, bars, cruise ships, and superyachts. Selected projects include Restaurant Gordon Ramsay Maze Grill; The Ritz, Edition, W, Hilton, and Marriott hotels; and MSC, Norwegian, and Viking cruise lines. He's a creative strategist that is able to help bring to life the briefs and produce compelling pitch presentations. He has strong visual communications skills with the ability to create and deliver high-end interior design projects. He's a creative thinker who can keep teams focused and productive. He's well connected with an established network of international and local suppliers. Born in Nigeria, Tolù moved to London in 1995. In his teens, he was mentored by Sir Terence Conran on furniture design and honed his artistic flair at Camberwell College of Arts, London. He later attained his Interior Design BA Hons degree at Bournemouth University and developed a distinctive aesthetics, characterized by a classic luxury with attention to detail, craft, and functionality.

Experience

18 yrs
Total Experience
4 yrs 5 mos
Average Tenure
11 yrs 9 mos
Current Experience

United in design

2 roles

Chairman (Interim)

Promoted

Nov 2023Mar 2024 · 4 mos

  • Leading strategic direction to foster diversity in the UK design industry
  • Promote strong governance, financial oversight, and legal compliance
  • Advocating for sustainable funding, building relationships with donors and partners
  • Overseeing programs like internships, mentorships, and outreach for meaningful impact
  • Facilitating board engagement and development, supporting a diverse, skilled team
  • Managing risks and aligning operations with our mission for long-term success
  • Interviewing and liaising with recruiters to appoint a Charity Manager
LeadershipManagementStrategyConsultancy

Steering Committee

Feb 2023Nov 2023 · 9 mos

David collins studio

Senior Designer

Feb 2021Dec 2021 · 10 mos · Greater London, England, United Kingdom

  • Reporting to Associate Director, develop concepts that provide an original, appropriate and effective solution to the creative brief
  • Create boards/layout plans in accordance with agreed concepts
  • Present and sell concepts and design solutions to client
  • Work with designers to prepare, schedule and cost all FF&E specifications
  • Negotiate, co-ordinate and liaise with suppliers to ensure that all specifications and deliveries are being met on time and on budget and to the best possible quality to meet DCS standards.
  • Schedule and communicate all costs and specifications internally and externally
  • Research and meet with new suppliers to ascertain suitability
  • Co-ordinate and liaise with contractors, sub-contractors, local authorities and all other relevant personnel
  • Prepare and submit planning applications, tender documentation and licensing drawings
  • Ensure quality control through regular site visits and record progress
FF&E SpecificationsProject ManagementClient PresentationsInterior Design

Smc design

2 roles

Senior Designer / Project Manager

Apr 2019Mar 2021 · 1 yr 11 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

Senior Designer

Apr 2017May 2019 · 2 yrs 1 mo · London Area, United Kingdom

  • KEY STATS
  • Hospitality & Marine Projects: 18
  • New Build Cruise Ships: 14
  • Won Pitch Presentations: 9
  • Projects Managed: 8
  • Visuals (CGI’s) & Sketches: 171
  • Design Directions & FF&E Schemes: 154
  • Public Areas (Hospitality, F&B, Retail): 81
  • Cabins & Suites: 45
  • Areas Delivered by Fall 2019: 52
  • Reporting to Director and Associates, work on High-end and large-scale projects to through from concept to completion in accordance with the client’s brief.
  • Generating concept ideas for pitches and presenting to clients.
  • Creating design directions and concepts for hospitality projects, directing 3D artist to visualize space.
  • Creating schemes, mood boards and material boards.
  • Prepare and issuing of FF&E specifications at all stages.
  • Project manage the day to day development of FF&E scheme.
  • Maintain and develop existing relations with existing suppliers and manufactures.
  • Research and meet new suppliers to ascertain suitability.
Concept DevelopmentProject ManagementSupplier RelationsInterior Design

Adẹ̀kọ́ & co

Founder & Creative Director

Aug 2014Present · 11 yrs 9 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

  • Adẹ̀kọ́ & Co is an independent, multi-disciplinary design studio that specialises in storytelling, often through space and materiality.
  • Stories are powerful, and strong brands are built around them. We make every brand experience unique and successful by telling its own memorable story by exploring palettes of materials, colours, and moods. Everything—from form to finish—is chosen for a reason, and all of it comes back to the story.
  • We specialise in luxury hotel interior design, residential interior design, master-planning, furniture and product design, branding, graphic design and communications.
Interior DesignBrandingGraphic DesignCommunications

Richards & warren

Project Designer FF&E and Brand Manager

Mar 2011Nov 2016 · 5 yrs 8 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

  • Reporting to Managing Partner, presented pitches and designed concepts for luxury construction company.
  • Working closely with Project Director, Architects and Interior Designers to ensure project is delivered holistically.
  • Researching, developing and sourcing the finest fixtures, fittings and equipment.
  • Meeting material suppliers and negotiating cost.
  • Took responsibility for the overall project, from initiation to delivery to ensure high quality output
  • Provided direction and management for budgeting, freelancers and production
Project ManagementBudgetingSupplier NegotiationInterior Design

Rpw design ltd

FF+E Interior Designer

Apr 2010Dec 2010 · 8 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

  • Palm Beach Hotel, Cyprus
  • Port Baku Residence
  • Worked alongside project managers, architects and interior designers on commercial hotels, restaurants and high end residential interiors within the Middle East markets
  • Demonstrated strong communication skills with team leader; Maintained excellent organisational, analytical and creative approach to projects
Interior DesignCollaborationCommunication

The hub magazine

Publisher

Sep 2009Jan 2020 · 10 yrs 4 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

  • Reporting to stakeholders, led a luxury customer media business through insightful leadership and accountability, and ultimately expanded the overall brand awareness and profitability
  • Negotiated overall rates for display sales in print and digital including inserts, event sponsorships and Classifieds.
  • Effectively manage and develop Key Accounts with media agencies and brands directly.
  • Liaise with PR agencies and in-house brands for integrated promotions sales.
  • Led client-facing presentations and directed sales pitches with media packs.
  • Directed a team of 10 employees and 50 freelancers including managing sales, marketing, circulation, distribution and subscription team.
  • Delegated to creative solutions and editorial team for innovative multi-channel selling.
  • Consulted stakeholders on digital content marketing and implementation.
LeadershipSalesMarketing

Tonik associates

FF+E Interior Designer

Apr 2009Mar 2010 · 11 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

  • Hilton Hotel T5
  • Barwa Capital
  • Led the Hilton FF+E design project independently; efficiently developed strong contact with suppliers and vendors in the high end luxury London market
  • Developed knowledge and experience of working with budgets, schedules, procurement and running projects, including installing and styling model rooms
FF&E DesignBudget ManagementSupplier RelationsProject Management

United designers

Junior Interior Designer

Apr 2008Mar 2009 · 11 mos · London Area, United Kingdom

  • Gordan Ramsey Maze Grill Bar and Restaurant
  • Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square
  • Orient Express, Panama City
  • W Hotel, Athens
  • Icon Hotel, Dubai
  • Involved in luxury hotel, restaurants and spa projects from conceptualising to delivery
  • Conducted research, compiled presentation and mood boards for client pitches
  • Coordinated design team and assisted the production of FF&E specifications, schedules and control books
Interior DesignResearchPresentation

Education

Bournemouth University

Bachelor's degree — Interior Design

Jan 2006Jan 2010

Bacons College

A Level

Jan 2004Jan 2006

A .M. R Technology College

13 GCSE's

Jan 1999Jan 2004

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