Anthony Hickman

Design, Product Development & Specification Leader with 30+ years’ experience in hospitality and high-end residential interiors

United Kingdom

About

Senior product development and design leader with 30 years’ experience shaping specification-led carpet projects and product ranges for contract hospitality and high-end residential interiors. Combines technical and manufacturing expertise with capability-building leadership, commercially grounded product thinking and long-standing industry relationships to create design-driven contract solutions with clear concept and specification focus. - Established authority in carpet design for the contract hospitality market - 30 years shaping specification-led contract projects and product collections - Trusted senior leader with strong industry standing among leading specification practices - Strategic, client-focused approach developed through extensive real market experience - Visible, hands-on leader, educator and mentor who builds trust, capability and alignment within teams - In-depth technical and manufacturing expertise across carpet design, construction and performance in woven and tufted formats Core personal values: creativity, authenticity, intentionality

Experience

  • Ulster Carpets (30 yrs 8 mos)
    • Head of Design
      Oct 2014 - Present · 11 yrs 10 mos

      Senior responsibility for design leadership, contract product direction, portfolio development and specification strategy - Leading and developing multi-location design teams across the UK, Ireland and Europe - Directing contract specification strategy and implementation - Initiating and overseeing hospitality-focused product development and stock range collections - Providing technical direction across Axminster, Wilton, machine-tufted and hand-tufted contract carpets - Acting as senior design representative in key client, specifier and industry engagements

    • Design Manager
      Dec 2003 - Sep 2014 · 10 yrs 10 mos

      Design leadership role with international scope across Europe, UK, Middle East and marine-industry markets - Managing and expanding design teams across Ireland and London - Defining and delivering the company’s first contract stock range - Leading technical design direction for Axminster, machine-tufted and Wilton formats

    • Design Project Manager
      Feb 2002 - Nov 2003 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Design project management role covering London team leadership, specified projects and technical direction - Management of London design team - Design responsibility for London-specified projects - Technical lead for contract Axminster and machine-tufted carpet

  • Designer at COURISTAN CARPETS (UK) LIMITED
    Aug 1994 - Dec 1995 · 1 yr 5 mos

    Axminster designer active on hospitality projects across the US, UK and Europe