Jake Henry

From professional rugby player to interior designer.

I think we can all agree my story isn’t the stereotypical interior design agency success story. But neither is yours….

I spent 10 years as a professional rugby player. Travelling the world with various teams and playing and living in both the UK and France. The pressure of having a fall back led me to study Sports Science which definitely wasn’t what I wanted to do when I retired from rugby. I loved every minute of my career but as my body began to feel the effects of 10 years in a collision sport I realised that nothing in the Sports Science industry excited me.

I took a look at myself, my passions, my interests and realised that I loved all things furniture, architecture and interior. Whilst training, playing, coaching and teaching rugby I began to study an interior design diploma. I knew straight away that this is what I wanted to do next. I was 26. After my diploma, I felt that I could begin designing residential projects and began building a portfolio by working for friends and family, I then progressed on to a full Bachelors degree in Interior Design.

After graduating with a Batchelor of Arts degree in Interior Design, aged 30, and still playing Rugby in France, I began searching for freelance design work. Many proposals later and here we are. Last year JWH Design worked and designed spaces for Spotify, Xbox, The Shard, Heron Towers, Serge Denimes, Puresport, Selfridges, Derschutze and created residential spaces around the globe. JWH Design continues to grow in 2024 and I hope to be able to share some of my industry understanding.

I am here to head up the London College of Style interior design team, but my main purpose is to try and inspire, support and create a pathway that leads you to transitioning from a diploma graduate to a successful interior designer.