Tim Mutton

Tim is the founder of Blacksheep, a multi-disciplinary creative studio that partners with global brands to create powerful hospitality experiences.   

Tim founded Blacksheep over 20 years ago and envisioned bringing something different to the hospitality and food-and-beverage sectors. However, his experience in hospitality and interior design convinced him that a designer’s responsibility went beyond design. “To give a hospitality brand the depth of meaning it deserves, designers should tailor every aspect of the guest experience.”   

Today, Tim has successfully grown Blacksheep into a leading global design practice recognised for transforming brands and spaces worldwide. Supported by company directors and partners Toni Black, Paul Mann and Brian Turner, Tim has developed and expanded the business with three distinct areas of speciality – Strategy & Branding, Luxury & Lifestyle and F&B Retail & Entertainment – allowing the studio to work as a close-knit collective and assist their client partners from project conception to opening and beyond.  

Tim and his team have helped to develop and innovate some of the world’s most renowned and respected hotel brands, including Ritz Carlton, Luxury Collection, St Regis, W Hotels, Autograph Collection, Fairmont Hotels and Resorts, Mandarin Oriental and SH Hotels and Resorts, alongside, working with global hospitality brands and acclaimed culinary chefs, such as Hyundai, Pernod Ricard, Five Guys, The Alchemist, Jamie Oliver, Akira Back, Nobu Matsuhisa, Raymond Blanc and Simon Rogan. Leading industry organisations have also honoured their work, receiving numerous creative accolades from the British Institute of Interior Design and Hospitality Design’s Wave of the Future. In addition, Blacksheep has been named a finalist for Mixology’s Design Practice of the Year.  

Regularly representing Blacksheep on the world stage, Tim shares his insights and creative thought leadership to help future-poof brands and inspire them to enhance their guest propositions, speaking at events like the IHIF Berlin, Peach 2020, To the Table and BIID Conference. He has also participated in several top broadcast shows such as BBC Radio, Monocle Radio, The Fixer with Alex Polizzi, Mary Queen of Shops and Gordon Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.  

Outside the studio, Tim is passionate about sharing his journey and experience from designer into the business through teaching and mentoring support through The London Metropolitan University, KLC and the Business Design Association (DBA), whilst attending Cranfield University and the Berlin School of Creative Leadership.