Our Team

The diversity of our team means that we have a designer to suit every client. Our multi-disciplined and talented team is made up of interior architects, designers and installers who share the same vision of creating remarkable spaces, but bring their own unique experience, style and flair.

Richard Grafton
Managing Director

Richard Grafton Interiors was founded in 2012 as Richard felt that it was the missing piece in the Yorkshire interiors marketplace. After many years in the interior design industry Richard felt the time was right to realise his own vision of creating remarkable spaces in homes and businesses across the UK and internationally with a team of talented, experienced designers.

Victoria Varney
Head of Interior Design

Victoria joined the RGI team after completing a degree in interior design and then working in soft furnishings for a number of years. Although she loves all things interiors, her greatest passion is fabric. Victoria enjoys putting unusual textures and colours together to create something unique. Victoria is based in our Ilkley showroom primarily.

Kim Robb
Senior Interior Designer

Kim began her career in creative styling and visual merchandising for both the fashion and interiors worlds and has always had a passion for design. Her role now involves taking the creative lead on interior design projects of all shapes and sizes. For Kim it’s all about authenticity, because no two projects are ever the same. Kim is based in our Harrogate showroom primarily.

Rebecca Thomas
Interior Designer

Rebecca graduated in product design with engineering. Rebecca’s preferred style uses a neutral base with pops of colour and quirky products which nod to sustainable design through resourcing and materials. Rebecca is passionate about creating unique spaces and loves how a room can influence our psychology through colour & texture. You will find Rebecca in our Ilkley showroom primarily.

Rosie Tangi
Interior Designer

Rosie Studied at Leeds College of Art. She loves to create elegant, personal spaces, particularly that involve engaging colour palettes – layering interest throughout with varying materials.

She brings a thoughtful attention to detail treating each project with individuality & practicality. Rosie is based in our Wetherby showroom.

Anna Martola
Showroom Coordinator

Anna joined Richard Grafton Interiors as a Retail & Design Assistant in our Harrogate showroom and brings with her a wealth of experience in art galleries, merchandising and customer service. Anna grew up surrounded by fabric, textiles and colour from a young age within her family’s clothing business, and is very much at home within the creative world of interiors.

Jackie Millichamp
Warehouse Manager

Jackie has 27 years’ experience working within a warehouse environment, dealing with purchasing stock, picking & packing as well as pricing all items before they hit the shops. Jackie worked for James Brindley of Harrogate before joining Richard Grafton Interiors in 2015. Her main duties include overseeing all logistical elements of the interior design jobs and ensuring all projects are ready for the fitters & installation team.

Chris Greenwood
Site Coordinator

Chris has extensive experience working in building and facilities management, he was previously a senior resident engineer within a prestigious new building prior to joining Richard Grafton Interiors. Chris oversees all of our compliance and health & safety as well as ensuring our Architectural projects run smoothly from start to finish once beginning on site.

Natalie Berka
Junior Interior Designer

Natalie is our latest junior interior designer to join the RGI team in 2024.

Natalie has a strong background in the manufacturing side of curtains and blinds and previously owned her own soft furnishings business for several years. She has now decided to take a leap into the wider world of interior design, developing her skills even further.

Milly Grafton
Retail Director

Milly spends a lot of time working in the 3 showrooms, getting to know our customers and building the retail business. Milly attends buying trips around the world, helping to source new products and trends to bring back to the showroom. Milly loves working alongside all of the designers and although the team is growing, believes the business ethos is all about family values.

Jessica Baeza
Head of Projects

Jessica’s role is to manage the planning, monitoring and successful completion of our projects. She communicates clearly with clients, trades and the designers to define requirements and timescales to ensure projects are achieved to the desired outcome. Her favourite part of her role is working with all the people involved in the projects to deliver beautiful architectural and interior home renovations.

Ashlea Milner
Senior Interior Designer

Ashlea’s interior design career started when she graduated with an interior architecture and design degree. Ashlea loves classic contemporary interiors with a softer palette, bringing in more traditional aspects but also playing around with quirkier modern pieces too. She often does oil paintings in her spare time and wanted to bring this aspect of her personality into a working environment. You will find Ashlea in our Harrogate showroom.

Fran Temperton
Showroom Coordinator

Fran completed a degree & a BArch in Architecture, as well as an Interior and 3D design qualification and has worked for over 25 years in the property industry. Fran has gained a wealth of valuable knowledge and experience and now works as part of the Ilkley showroom team to help clients create beautiful homes.

Karen Draper
Interior Designer

Karen has been working in interior design for nearly 30 years and brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job. Karen enjoys working one on one as there really is no better way to get to know someone than to help design their home. Karen’s personal design style would be classical with a modern twist, believing that a home should keep evolving. You will find Karen based in our Wetherby showroom.

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Lynne Clement
Accounts Assistant

Lynne began her career in accounting 16 years ago and during that time she completed the Association of Accounting Technicians qualification. Over the years Lynne has worked in large and small companies covering a wide range of duties which has given her a wealth of experience. Lynne’s role here is quite varied – she is involved with all the day to day elements of accounting and offers support to Liz, the financial controller.

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Ian Dickinson
Installations Manager

Ian has been employed for over 30 years, installing quality curtains, blinds and pelmets alongside upholstery, furniture and lighting. Ian has worked most of this time in the Harrogate and Wetherby areas. He has a ‘can do’, helpful and practical approach which alongside his technical expertise and product knowledge always ensures that work is completed to the highest standard. Ian is always popular with customers having worked with many of them over the years on different design projects.

Amy Sheehan
Project Coordinator

Amy graduated with a degree in Fashion Design and went on to become a Visual Merchandise Manager both at retail and head office level for 2 large high street retailers. Amy has a strong background in visual execution, attention to detail and critical path management. Her role is to co-ordinate the projects from the early stages of planning through to completion. She communicates clearly with clients, trades, and the designers to define project requirements and timescales to ensure everything runs seamlessly. Amy enjoys seeing how everything comes together to create beautiful end results for our clients.

Sarah Baxter
Purchase Ledger Clerk

Sarah is based at the Harrogate Showroom within the Accounts department.

As a qualified ICB Bookkeeper with a background in Operational Management, she provides essential support and analysis to the Accounts team. With strong organisational skills and an artistic flair, Sarah’s role at RGI perfectly fuses her comprehensive skillset and personal passions.

Charlotte Grafton
Operational Director

Charlotte graduated from Kings College London before working for Harrods in the furniture buying team. She then transferred her skills to general merchandise where she became Assistant Buyer for Luxury Home & the infamous Christmas department. After 3 years Charlotte moved back to Yorkshire and joined the family business developing the brand, marketing & ecommerce divisions. More recently, Charlotte works on the business operationally, looking for process improvements and building on the strong family values.

Catherine Senior
Head of Architectural Design

Having gained a degree in furniture design, Catherine’s career as a cabinet maker began creating furniture for architects in London, learning the skills for high end end furniture making. After 8 years as a maker, Catherine started her own workshop in Sussex, putting her knowledge into practice designing and making. Catherine then moved back to Yorkshire. She took on a larger workshop and focused on design with a creative team of makers, finishers and fitters, creating beautifully detailed projects.

Catherine met Richard during one of these projects and they found a common interest, collaborating furniture and interior design to create unique interiors tailored to each individual client.

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Ben Bingham
Designer

Ben is a Product Design graduate and gained experience in the manufacturing sector, whereby he was shortlisted as a finalist for the Young Manufacturer of the Year 2017. Ben’s current role as a designer is to deliver high quality designs, visuals and working drawings for clients whether it be a bathroom design, or a full house renovation.

Laura Baxter
Junior Designer

Laura graduated with a degree in interior design and has a passion for interior architecture. She prides herself on her attention to detail and spacial planning techniques. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​Laura has an eye for colour and precise orgaisational skills which make a great pairing when helping our clients develop their ideas into reality! ​​​​​​​​

Leona Connelly
Showroom Coordinator

Leona graduated in English Literature and had a career in Office Management until having a family. ​​​​​​​​
​​​​​​It was after renovating and developing several properties that Leona really discovered her love for interior design and has spent the last 13 years working in the Industry. ​​​​​​​​​​​She is passionate about customer service and loves helping our customers find the perfect items for their homes in our Wetherby showroom.​​

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Michelle Wilson
Accounts Assistant

Michelle is delighted to join the team in 2021.  She has 25 years’ experience in accounting and administrative roles. Her background is predominantly within the hospitality industry and more recently a private English language school. She has attained accounting qualification AAT NVQ Level 4 and enjoys the challenges and job satisfaction that come with working in a busy accounts office.

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Shaun Sutton
Warehouse Assistant

Shaun has 38 years of warehouse and fulfilment experience plus an NVQ 3 in warehousing. He recently joined Richard Grafton Interiors in 2021 following a similar Warehouse Manager role at another local interiors company. Shaun oversees all stock deliveries and quality control; he is always eager to ensure every item is meticulously checked for our customers and regularly stocks our 3 showrooms.

Ruth Dawe
Designer

Following a degree in Architecture, Ruth has worked across the industry with interior designers, architects, stone specialists & furniture makers. Previously based in London, she relocated to Harrogate with her young family in 2018. Her role as Designer is focused on developing personalised schemes and bespoke furniture that meet the unique style and needs of each client. You’ll usually find Ruth in our Harrogate Showroom.

Discuss your project

We are always happy to receive enquiries about your next interior design project. We have design studios in Harrogate, Ilkley & Wetherby so please get in touch, pop in or call to make an appointment.

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