Richard Morey, Grand Designs Live Show Director, has been involved since its inception in 2005.
At that time, the event was a groundbreaking venture for a newly established publishing company with no prior experience in exhibitions. The idea emerged organically after the launch of Grand Designs Magazine in 2004, as the team identified a demand for a fresh and innovative home build, renovation, and design show.
With the blessing of Fremantle Media, Grand Designs Live was created to be the kind of event Richard and his team would personally want to attend, whether to build, renovate, or upgrade a home or garden.
The event was an immediate success, turning a profit from the very first show, something that was, as Media10 CEO, Lee Newton famously noted, not supposed to happen with a launch event.
Since then, Richard has been involved with Grand Designs Live on and off, but post-COVID, his focus has been entirely on evolving and growing the brand.
Planning Grand Designs Live is an ongoing process that takes place throughout the year. With two major events annually, London in May and Birmingham in October, there is no set timeline. Many of the show’s key elements are developed over several years, making it a continuous process of evolution and improvement.
Memorable moments from the show over the years:
Richard has accumulated a wealth of unforgettable experiences at Grand Designs Live. A few standout moments include:
- The Launch Event at ExCeL – Witnessing the massive crowds arrive for the very first show was a magical moment. Many team members had taken significant financial risks, such as remortgaging their homes to make the event a reality, making its success even more special
- Celebrating 25 years of Grand Designs – At the NEC autumn show 2024, marking this milestone in the TV show’s history was a significant and proud moment
- Building a Huf Haus against the clock – The challenge of constructing an iconic Huf Haus while the show was live added an exciting and dramatic element to the event
- Nearly drowning Kevin McCloud – Attempting to sail Kevin McCloud across the Royal Victoria Dock in a cardboard boat was a memorable and humorous moment, though it didn’t go quite as planned (but Kevin’s always up for a good laugh!)
- Working with an incredible team – Over the years, Richard has had the privilege of collaborating with a talented and passionate team, making the experience all the more rewarding
What to expect at Grand Designs Live this year:
For the latest edition of Grand Designs Live, Richard and his team have reimagined the event, adapting it for the post-COVID era based on extensive feedback from visitors and exhibitors.
Some of the key enhancements include:
- A reimagined layout – The show floorplan has been redesigned to feature more one-to-one advice centres, additional theatres, and dedicated educational hubs
- A Refreshed exhibitor base – Ensuring every exhibitor is relevant to the home and garden industry and aligned with the Grand Designs brand
- A live ‘Grand Design’ build – A 500sqm home at the heart of the event, showcasing the latest in construction, windows and doors, bespoke kitchens, home cinema technology, and contemporary indoor and outdoor design
- A focus on sustainability – A brand-new ‘Sustainability Hub’ where visitors can bring their plans and receive expert one-to-one advice on decarbonisation and eco-friendly solutions
- More Kevin McCloud – Ensuring attendees get even more insights and inspiration from the beloved Grand Designs presenter himself
For homeowners looking to explore the latest in building, interiors, kitchens, bathrooms, and outdoor living while meeting industry experts and gaining design inspiration, Grand Designs Live London 2025 is an unmissable event.
