Meet our Design Manager - Anne Wood
Anne joined us at Hot Pickle Consulting as a design manager in November 2025, bringing more than 20 years’ experience across architecture and interior design. Her career has taken her from initial concept right through to final fit out, including prime residential work where the detail really matters.
That background shapes how she works today. Having designed and detailed buildings and interiors herself, Anne knows what good construction information looks like, where the risks tend to hide, and how to protect the design intent while keeping the contractor’s commercial position firmly in view. Her route into construction started somewhere unexpected too, but more on that later.
We sat down with Anne to talk about what drew her to design management, the project that has stuck with her most, and why she sees herself as a master problem solver.
"AS A DESIGN MANAGER, I BRING CLARITY AND CALM TO THE CHAOS."
WHAT GOT YOU INTO ARCHITECTURE, AND, LATER, DESIGN MANAGEMENT?
It started when I realised how differently spaces can serve people, and how design choices can guide you through a building without you even noticing. I focused on interior architecture, and over the years I learned more and more about what it actually takes to construct those spaces well. Moving into design management felt like a natural next step. It lets me use the full range of my design and technical skills to guide project teams towards a successful end product for the client.
YOU'RE A PART 3 QUALIFIED ARCHITECT WITH A STRONG INTERIOR DESIGN BACKGROUND. WHAT DOES THAT BRING TO THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE?
Having designed and detailed buildings and interiors myself, I understand the passion clients and designers have for their projects. A big part of design management is respecting what a project was meant to be in the first place and protecting the integrity of the design, while also understanding and supporting the contractor’s commercial interests. It’s a balancing act, and it relies on clear communication and trusting relationships with everyone involved. My background helps me be a progressive design manager rather than a passive one. The role is about managing the design, not doing the designing. But knowing the answer to technical and design problems, understanding what makes construction information meaningful and complete, and knowing what to look out for makes a huge difference when you’re guiding design teams through pre-construction and construction.
"MY BACKGROUND HELPS ME BE A PROGRESSIVE DESIGN MANAGER RATHER THAN A PASSIVE ONE."
WHAT'S BEEN YOUR FAVOURITE PROJECT SO FAR, AND WHY?
That’s like asking me to choose a favourite child! The one that excited me most was a prime residential family home in St John’s Wood with Higginson Grey. It was a masterclass in integrating MEP into intricate, luxurious joinery. We were balancing the design intent against functional and regulatory requirements, and coordinating different trades, their design responsibilities and where those overlapped with other subcontractors.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST BEING A DESIGN MANAGER?
Being a master problem solver. Every day there are puzzles to solve, problems to unlock and people to guide and encourage. The job has a very structured side to it, but for me the human side, helping others be better, plays just as big a part in being a successful design manager. That’s the bit I love.
"EVERY DAY THERE ARE PUZZLES TO SOLVE, PROBLEMS TO UNLOCK AND PEOPLE TO GUIDE AND ENCOURAGE."
WHAT'S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE YOU COME ACROSS ON PROJECTS?
It still amazes me that people can look at the same information and understand it in completely different ways. A big part of the challenge is untangling that information so everyone understands the same thing and moves in the same direction. Clear communication is the key to everything: being curious, asking questions and confirming what’s been agreed.
HOW DOES YOUR ROLE ADD VALUE FOR CLIENTS?
Every construction project is a prototype, with so many variables and unanswered questions. As a design manager, I bring clarity and calm to the chaos and keep the project moving forward. The most valuable thing I bring is pulling together different designers and contractors, overlaying and analysing everyone’s requirements, and working out the most efficient way to get all the answers within a limited timeframe.
FINALLY, TELL US ONE FUN FACT NOT MANY PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT YOU.
I completed an apprenticeship in upholstery in Germany. That’s actually what started my love of construction.
Want to find out how Anne and the team could support your next project? Get in touch - [email protected].