Design Innovation was founded by Nick Gale in 2004 and started Design Innovation in the same year.

After 20 years of experience in the professional sound, lighting and AV industry Nick decided to strike out on his own and offer something.

History in engineering, Nick has a real passion for technology and modern home developments, combining the two to develop innovative home automation solutions.

From these humble beginnings, the company has grown and completed all manner of projects. Home automation, home cinema, commercial security and more!

They have automated some of the most prestigious homes in the UK winning plaudits and awards as they go along.

Design Innovation is based in Nottingham in the heart of the UK from where we undertake projects all over the UK and occasionally in Europe.

Self-Build Zone hosting a masterclass on self-build and extension, conversion, and renovation insurance to ensure you know everything you need to on projecting yourselves and your building project.

They are the market leader in Self-Build Insurance and can help protect your project throughout the build process, through to completion, with our flexible Site Insurance, Survey facilities and 10-Year Structural Warranty.

Site Insurance is of fundamental importance when investing your money into property development, especially as the sums are almost always five or six figures.

Whether your project is a conversion, renovation, extension, or new build, you will invariably need comprehensive protection for the new work, the existing structure (if there is one), and the rest of the site.

Self-Build Zone Warranty provides a much better alternative to Architect’s Certificate and is similar to the NHBC and other Structural Warranty products.

It is specifically designed for new builds, conversions, extensions, and completed properties and is backed by Lloyd’s of London.

Sykes Holiday Cottage offer customers the ability to book a huge range of over 20,000-holiday cottages to rent across the UK and Ireland.

Each one of the holiday cottages has been personally inspected by a Sykes property expert and is priced fairly and affordably.

The diverse selection of cottage holidays in the UK and Ireland means there is something for everyone, from pet-friendly cottages and large holiday homes to cottages with hot tubs, you'll find it through Sykes.

They have our 30 years' experience to match their customers with their dream holiday cottage, so what are you waiting for? Find out what we can offer you.

Sally is a chartered town planner and an expert in all things planning permission.

She has significant expertise, specialist knowledge and substantial experience when providing professional advice for self-builders and custom builders seeking to build their own home and those who wish to refurbish and extend their properties.

She is Managing Director of Foxley Tagg Planning Ltd (which she formed in 2000), Executive Committee Member – National Custom & Self Build Association (NaCSBA) and a Board Member of the Right to Build Taskforce.

Sally and her team are a regular presence in The Planning Clinic at the Homebuilding & Renovating Show.

Michael is Homebuilding & Renovating's Director of Content, Vice Chair of the self-build industry body, the National Custom and Self Build Association (NaCSBA(opens in new tab)), presenter of multiple property TV shows and author of Renovating for Profit (Ebury). He also runs an architectural and interior design practice, offering design and project management services. He is one of the country's leading property experts and has undertaken over 30 building projects including two self-builds and the renovation of a Grade-II listed farmhouse.

Michael has presented over 150 property shows for BBC, ITV1, Channel 5, UK TV Style, and Discovery RealTime, including I, Own Britain's Best Home; Don't Move Improve; Trading Up; Good Bid, Good Buy; Build, Buy or Restore? How to Build a House; and Hard Sell.

Michael is also a regular expert at the Homebuilding & Renovating Shows. He has written for leading British newspapers, including The Daily Telegraph, Sunday Times, Daily Express and The Independent and has appeared on news programmes such as BBC Breakfast.

With over 30 years of experience as an interior design professional, property renovator and kitchen specialist.

Dee gets to talk to her about what she is doing at the Homebuilding Renovating show, we get some great tips and advice and get to know a little more about Julia Kendell.

David is a regular contributor to Homebuilding and Renovating magazine and has a Masters degree in Sustainable Architecture, is a Gassafe, renewables and ventilation installer, and has over 35 years experience in the industry. 

Bob Branscombe is one of the UK’s leading Chartered Surveyors and with over 30-years’ experience in both self-build and construction, he still harnesses a long-time obsession with hands on self-building.

A career spent with several main contractors and major UK name surveying consultancies has helped reinforce his approach that cost-estimating and control are a fundamental tenet of self-building, and the benefits of cost certainty are a common theme in his approach to any project.