Sophie Ashby and Alex Dauley are co-founders of United in Design
United in Design (UiD) was founded in 2020 in response to the lack of inclusion in the interior design industry. Recognising the significant barriers that people of colour face in accessing opportunities within the field, they established UiD as a British diversity, equity, and inclusion charity to create pathways for underrepresented talent.
I spoke to Alex and Sophie in February 2026 ahead of our 5-day cycle ride to raise funds for United in Design's outreach program.
In this episode, we discover how United in Design grew from a response to frustration. What meaningful inclusion actually looks like beyond statements, strategies and good intentions. Why partnerships, listening and long-term thinking matter more than quick wins. How designers, educators and organisations can play an active role in widening access and why, if you're worried about the training, you can always get on a Lime bike.
You can get involved by sponsoring the ride, hosting a stop, sharing the message or donating to support the cause. Follow the journey, listen to the conversations and be part of shaping a more open and representative creative industry.
This is Clerkenwheels.
We're riding for the future of design.
LinksThe Clerkenwheels website https://www.clerkenwheels.com/
Donate here https://www.justgiving.com/page/clerkenwheels
United in Design https://www.unitedindesign.com/
Clerkenwheels is a fundraising cycling journey and a moving conversation about design, inclusion and who gets to shape the spaces around us. Over a series of special episodes, I'll be talking with designers, studios, and creative leaders who believe the built environment should work for everyone.
Clerkenwheels is more than a bike ride. It's a fundraising initiative supporting United In Design's outreach programme. Every ten pounds we raise will introduce someone new to the potential of the interior design sector as a career. Along with my friend Tom Bourne, we are cycling from the University of Plymouth to Clerkenwell Design Week in London. We're heading out on Friday the 15th of May, stopping off in Topsham, Sherborne, Salisbury, Farnham, and rolling into Clerkenwell on Tuesday, the 19th of May. On the way, we'll be stopping off to host conversations, visit suppliers, manufacturers, and designers to shine a light on the people pushing the industry forward.
In this series, you'll hear honest conversations about diversity and leadership in design, reflections on practise, education and responsibility, stories from the road as the miles build up, and the occasional unfiltered moment when the legs are feeling it.
You can get involved by sponsoring the ride, hosting a stop, sharing the message or donating to support the cause. Follow the journey, listen to the conversations and be part of shaping a more open and representative creative industry.
I want to thank the team from United In Design for supporting our ride, Sophie Ashby and Alex Dorley and behind the scenes, Eman Akbar, who's been working tirelessly to put things in place.
Julienne Webster from Industry Publicity, who's helping us with the marketing and PR of our initiative, and Tom Bourne from Select first, my co-rider for thinking up the idea, coming up with the name and keeping me motivated whilst I try to do my training.
If you found this episode valuable, please subscribe, share it with someone who might enjoy it and help these conversations reach further afield.
Thanks for listening. Bye for now.
