William Knight

William Knight is a prominent figure in the design industry, serving as the Co-Founder of Material Matters, a trade-focused fair that emphasizes the significance of material intelligence in design and architecture. He has over 20 years of experience in design promotion, having held key positions such as Director of 100% Design, Clerkenwell Design Week, and Deputy Director of the London Design Festival. Additionally, he was the Director of Dubai Design Week for two years, further showcasing his international expertise in the field.134

Material Matters, which Knight co-founded with Grant Gibson, originally began as a podcast in 2019 before evolving into a physical exhibition. The fair aims to connect various stakeholders in the design community and highlight innovative materials and their applications in contemporary design.23 Knight's extensive background in organizing significant design events has positioned him well to lead this initiative, which seeks to foster collaboration and promote sustainable practices within the industry.124

In his current role, Knight also directs The Renew Consultancy, which provides strategic consultancy and project management services within the design sector. His work focuses on developing new business models and fostering connections among designers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders.13