MEET THE TEAM

Andrew Laughland

Director

Andrew founded Laughland Jones in 1998 and has been part of the architectural interior and design industry for over 30 years. He enjoys skiing, sailing, golf, and expedition trekking, and collecting antique artefacts. He lives in Kent with his wife and 2 kids. 

Russell Jones

Design Director

With a degree in Architectural Interior Design, and over 10 years experience, Russell heads up the design team. He enjoys kite surfing, rock climbing and skiing. Russell is married to Kirsten and has two children, and 2 dogs, Beau and Sonny.

Ian Mitchell

Chairman

An experienced CEO and Chairman, Ian spent 20 years building a manufacturing and service business operating in the global safety sector before a successful sale and exit. He now advises and mentors a range of companies. With two grown up children, Ian lives with his wife Penny in the Cotswolds, enjoys playing pickleball and is a season ticket holder at Gloucester Rugby.

Dorina Olaru

Managing Director

With a first-class degree in Economic Science: Business Administration and over 8 years of experience in management accounting, Dorina brings a wealth of financial expertise and leadership to LJ. She is focused on driving growth and innovation. She is naturally upbeat, always smiling and happy to support everyone around her. Outside of work, Dorina loves reading, dancing and travelling.

Sara Newman

Design Manager

With around 20 yrs experience in the hotel and residential interior design industry, Sara has worked on a wide variety of high end projects. She likes to mix contemporary and traditional design to create unique and timeless interiors. ‘It’s the feeling of attention you give to every little detail that makes a project so special’. Family & friends, long country walks and listening to music keeps her nourished out of office hours.

Lucy Ashenden

Senior Interior Designer

Lucy graduated from Nottingham Trent University in 2009 with a degree in Furniture & Product Design and has since gained 12 years’ experience in the construction and architecture industry. Having completed a 2 - year renovation project on a cottage in Hollingbourne, Lucy is now looking for her next property adventure!

Ceri Meadows

Senior Interior Designer

Ceri graduated with a degree in Interior and Architectural Design in 2013 from Staffordshire University. She previously worked for 13 years at an Architectural practice. Ceri thrives on being creative and is an avid traveller and shoe collector.

Jess Greenhalgh

SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER

Jess graduated with a 1st in Interior Design from De Montfort University and has almost 10 years experience in the interior architecture industry. When she's not in the office, Jess can be found playing with her 2 cats, Winston and Luna, and walking Neville the corgi, on the sea front. 

Rosie Martin

Senior Interior Designer

Rosie graduated from the University of Westminster achieving a 1st in Interior Architecture and has almost 10 years experience in high end residential design. When not in the office, Rosie is an avid painter. 

Anne-Sophie Reynaud

SENIOR INTERIOR DESIGNER

Helen Bonsall

Senior Interior Designer

Helen graduated with a degree in Architectural Interior Design from the University for the Creative Arts. She has 15 years experience in commercial and high end residential design. She loves spending time with her family, but with 3 children and 2 dogs at home, personal life can be very busy, so Helen likes to listen to country music to keep her calm. 

Jemma Woolcott

Interior Designer

Having graduated with a 1st in interior architecture design from Hertfordshire university, Jemma has been working in the industry for 5 years. She loves horseriding and walking her cocker spaniel Arlo. 

Pallavi Bansal

Interior Designer

Pallavi graduated with distinction in a Master’s degree in Interior Design from the University for the Creative Arts and has over 8 years of industry experience. Originally from India, she loves to sketch, enjoys cooking traditional Indian cuisine, and adds a personal touch to everything she does. She also has a passion for junk jewellery and vibrant ethnic dresses, reflecting her creative and expressive personality.

Emily Morton

Junior Designer

After finishing her A-levels, Emily decided to train as an interior designer. When she's not helping out around the office, she studies towards a Level 4 qualification in interior design. For fun, Emily enjoys hand embroidery and dressmaking, as well as camping. 

Emma Pearce

Purchasing Manager

With over 6 years of experience in accounting and a proactive 'get it done' attitude, Emma plays a key role in ensuring smooth and efficient purchasing operations at LJ. Her attention to detail and dedication helps to keep everything running like clockwork. She enjoys spending time with her family, especially baking, and looking after her daughters, which brings her as much joy as her work does. 

Sarah Rogers

Senior Purchaser

Sarah graduated from Rochester University with a degree in Applied Arts. A qualified silversmith, she’s a country girl at heart. She loves walking her labrador, and is currently renovating her home in the Kent countryside.

Rachael Link

Purchaser

Rachael's background is in finance and she worked as an accountant for 6 years. SHe's now part of the purchasing team at Laughland Jones. In her spare time she enjoys renovating houses and spending time with her family and her 1 year old daughter Matilda.

Gary Hawkins

Logistics & Distribution Manager

Gary has over 30yrs experience working for global manufacturing companies. He has many hobbies - DIY/house renovator, keen gardener/home grown organic fruit & veg. Recent interest restoration of beloved T4 camper-van. Gary lives in Kent with his girlfriend - they have 4 children between them and 8 wonderful Grands that keep them young at heart plus Princess Lia, 4yr old super friendly Romanian rescue pup.

Aaron Rooney

Warehouse Assistant

Matt Gisbey

Architect

Matt Gisbey RIBA works with Laughland Jones with Ben Prince. Matt qualified as an Architect in 2014 at the University of Brighton. Matt has previously worked at AJ100 top ten practice, gaining experience in conservation works, working for the Ministry of Justice and the Parliamentary Strategic Estates. He spends a lot of his free time on a bike, having conquered the Alps, the Dolomites and Pyrenses.

Ben Prince

Architect

Ben Prince RIBA, works with Laughland Jones to provide architectural support to the team. He set up an architectural practice after 12 years working in a renowned architectural business carrying RIBA chartered architect qualification. When Ben is not working, he loves nothing more than downhill cycling.

Carolin Williamson

CRM & Business Development

Carolin graduated from James Cook University in Singapore with a degree in Business Administration. She has over 10 years of experience as a project management consultant in Germany. In her spare time, you will most likely find her with her two children. She loves travelling, skiing, open water swimming and Pilates.

Nick Foster

CRM & Business Development

Nick thought he’d put his feet up until he met Andrew - living in Chamonix and Kent - the idea of mooching about the Alps letting more people know about Laughland Jones appealed.

Scott Swaden

Finance Assistant

Working to support the Finance Manager. In his spare time, he is studying towards his AAT Level 4 Qualification, and enjoys playing poker.

Dean

Everyone's Saviour

Martine Laughland

Ambassador

Martine previously worked as a sports TV producer and skiied for the England bump/moguls team. Married to Andrew, she advises the business on general strategy, taking her 2 sons ski race training for the winter season flitting between Pila in Italy and Tignes in France, leaving Andrew flailing behind.

Ryand Tamayo

Chamonix office

Ryand mans the office in Chamonix and the shop operated by Laughland Jones. 

Elle Jay

HQ Resident Dog

Elle Jay lives with the team at Laughland Jones HQ, but sneaks out to the Alps whenever she can. Watch this space for some photos of her adventures!