Ed Bakos is an architect with more than 25 years of experience shaping luxury hotels and restaurants around the world. As CEO and Partner of Champalimaud Design, he works closely with clients and design teams to create spaces that feel considered, immersive, and grounded in how people actually live and experience hospitality. His approach balances strategy and creativity, always returning to the idea of designing for “how one lives”.

He earned his Bachelor of Architecture from Cornell University and his Master of Architecture from Harvard University, and he previously taught architecture at Cornell’s Rome campus and at ETH Zurich. Before joining Champalimaud, he spent 18 years at Rockwell Group as a Principal and Studio Leader.

His work spans some of the most recognizable names in hospitality, including Raffles Singapore, Halekulani, Badrutts Palace, Belden House and Mews, and the recently completed Four Seasons Naples Beach Club. Across these projects, his focus has remained consistent: creating hospitality environments that are memorable, intuitive, and alive.

Jo Hamilton is the founder and creative director of Jo Hamilton Interiors, a London studio she has run independently for more than thirty years.

Her work — characterised by colour confidence, spatial clarity and modern-classic restraint — spans private homes, hotels, restaurants and commercial spaces across the UK, New York, Miami, Geneva and Dubai.

She is regularly listed among Britain's leading interior designers, including in Country & Town House's annual round-up, and is frequently approached by The Times, The Telegraph, The Independent and the Daily Mail for comment on interior design.

Her product work includes Kanso, a hand-tufted rug collection for Jacaranda Carpets & Rugs drawn from the Japanese philosophy of wabi-sabi.

Jo has judged the International Property Awards, the WhatHouse? Awards and the INDEX Architecture & Design Awards in Dubai, spoken at TINTA Taipei, and supports GoodWeave's work tackling child labour in textile supply chains.

Interior Architect and Project Lead with more than 20 years of international experience specializing in retail, hospitality and luxury interior design. Based in Geneva, she is recognized for creating high-end retail environments, hotels and residential spaces that combine strong conceptual identity, functionality and refined aesthetics. Since founding her design studio in 2007, she has led multidisciplinary projects from concept development to final execution, collaborating with international clients, contractors and creative teams across Europe.

Her work has received worldwide recognition through prestigious architecture and design awards and nominations, highlighting excellence, innovation and creativity in hospitality, retail and luxury design. Her projects have been featured in international publications, books and design platforms across Europe, the United States and Asia. Known for her attention to detail, leadership and strategic project management skills, she is passionate about creating immersive and meaningful spaces that elevate the customer experience and reflect the unique identity and values of each brand.

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Mark Burns is the Chief Design & Construction Officer at Chedi Hospitality, bringing over 35 years of experience in luxury hospitality design to his role. As head of the Technical Services division, Mark leads the creative and operational development of Chedi’s global portfolio, supporting partners across new and existing properties. He is responsible for crafting the creative narrative for each project while safeguarding the brand’s design guidelines and philosophy worldwide.

Mark’s hands-on, personal approach introduces stakeholders to the essence of the Chedi brand, offering a tailored experience that reflects the group's restrained design ethos. With a deep understanding of project lifecycles and operational efficiency, he plays a critical role in ensuring alignment between owner vision, brand standards, and long-term investment value.

Mark has worked with The Chedi brand for over 15 years, contributing to landmark properties including The Nam Hai in Vietnam, The Setai in Miami, Al Bait in Sharjah, The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah and The Legian in Bali, The Serai in Shanghai, The Chedi Katara in Doha, The Chedi Club Mahe in Seychelles, and several developments across Oman, Montenegro, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He currently oversees the global pipeline of new developments, including the rollout of The Chedi Private Residences.

Beyond Chedi, Mark’s design leadership spans some of the world’s most iconic luxury hotels, including Claridge’s in London, Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc in France, The Lana in Dubai, and Eden Rock in St. Barths. His portfolio also includes Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi, Gleneagles in Scotland, Langham London, Zil Pasyon in Seychelles, Silversands in Grenada, Villa D’Este in Lake Como, Mount Nelson in Cape Town, Alvear Palace in Buenos Aires, and The Shard in London.

Many of these projects have helped shape the current Chedi design language, reinforcing its position as a global standard-bearer in refined hospitality. Mark has also worked closely with signature design and development teams on ultra-luxury projects for royal palaces, family offices, and elite private clubs, including Boodles, Hurlingham, Royal Ascot, Lords Cricket Ground, Wentworth Golf Club, and Capital Clubs across the UAE and Africa.

Prior to joining Chedi Hospitality in 2024, Mark, in 2007, founded and led a luxury hospitality advisory firm which still to this day successfully supports client requirements. His extensive experience includes partnerships with esteemed hotel brands such as Oetker, Dorchester Collection, Belmond, Four Seasons, Langham, and Six Senses. To date, he has contributed to over 500 projects across five continents, consistently delivering value through a focus on brand integrity and investor outcomes.

Mark also provides advisory services to private offices of royal families, offering guidance on international hospitality investments, bespoke design narratives, and development feasibility.

His roots in hospitality include operational training at Hilton Park Lane in London, along with high-end properties across Oxfordshire. This foundation continues to inform his belief in the seamless connection between guest experience and well considered design.

Born and educated in the United Kingdom, Mark holds certifications in Hotel Planning & Design, Engineering Management, and Hospitality Interior Design. He also holds a diploma in Culinary Arts.

The founder and principal Architect of UArchitects (Urban design and Architects), Misak Terzibasiyan, is personally and professionally focused on an international context as well as on the influence of cultural themes. This is mainly based on his background, as Misak Terzibasiyan was born in Helsinki (Finland). He has Finnish and Armenian roots.

He studied at the University of Technology in Eindhoven (The Netherlands) and worked with a number of international architectural offices before founding the company in the cultural and architectural icon in the city of Eindhoven.

UArchitects is an international office that welcomes different nationalities. He has successfully attended the World Architecture Festival for several years, receiving awards, and has also served as a jury member. In 2025, he was chairman of the jury for the Small Project of the Year category.

Mohammed Adib is a globally recognised architect and design leader with over 35 years of experience across Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He is the Founder and Managing Director of Intercon, an award winning boutique architecture and interior design studio based in Barcelona, and Partner and Chief Design Officer at Dewan Architects + Engineers in Dubai. Having delivered hundreds of projects in more than 20 countries, Adib is best known for human centric, culturally sensitive and sustainable design that rejects formulaic architecture in favour of contextual storytelling. Educated in Iraq, the UK and Spain, including the Architectural Association in London, he draws inspiration from modernist pioneers while embracing advanced technologies such as BIM and AI. A sought after keynote speaker and frequent industry commentator, Adib has received multiple international accolades and is consistently featured in architectural power lists. His work spans hospitality, residential, commercial and cultural developments, shaping meaningful spaces that connect people, place and purpose.

Shannon Ho is an Executive Director at Aedas, where she showcases a strong sense of architectural design and technical skills acquired through her work on a diverse range of projects, spanning from high-end hospitality, retail, large-scale commercial, to complex infrastructure developments. She oversees and develops designs from concept to realization. In recent years, Shannon has been actively engaged in the development of Integrated Resort (IR) in Asia and Southeast Asia; and has successfully led and completed several integrated resort and hospitality projects in Macau.

Shannon attained her architectural degree from McGill University in Montreal and practiced architecture in Chicago before obtaining her professional license.

Shannon is committed to giving back to the community. She currently serves as President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Hong Kong Chapter. From 2022 to 2024, she was Chairperson of the Lighthouse Club (LHC) Hong Kong Branch, a non-profit that supports people in need within the construction industry.