Conran

Conran is a name that gained distinction because of Sir Terence Orby Conran, a UK-based designer, restaurateur, retailer and author. He was born in Esher. Surrey on October 4 1931 to the proprietor of a rubber importation company in East London. Conran studied textiles at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design and was involved in the Festival of Britain during his student years.

In 1956, Conran launched his own design business and introduced the Summa furniture range. Eight years later, Conran established the first Habitat shop in Chelsea. This enterprise flourished and developed into a monumental household goods and furniture chain. Later, Conran developed this into the Storehouse Group, over which he lost control in 1990. The retail companies called Conran Shops continue to the present day. Conran shops feature internationally designed, contemporary conran furniture.Conran was conferred knighthood in 1983 and is a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers.

Conran has expanded his business activities to include architecture and interior design. He was instrumental in transforming London’s Michelin House into the famous Bibendum restaurant, and in designing the Bluebird Garage. Both these establishments are in Chelsea. Conran was also a central figure during the regeneration of London’s Shad Thames area (next to Tower Bridge) in the early ’90s. Today, the Conran Foundation manages the Design Museum, located in the vicinity.

CatereSearch, the website of Caterer and Hotelkeeper magazine, voted Conran the most influential restaurateur in 2005. This is not surprising, considering that he has created some of London’s most celebrated restaurants ñ including the Soup Kitchen, Quaglino’s, Orrery, Mezzo, Blueprint Cafe, Butler's Wharf Chop House and Pont de la Tour. In fact, he has masterminded famous eateries all over the world.