Property News International

Change region:

GlobalcheckMiddle East

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Sign up to receive the latest tech news and updates from Property News International straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you will receive emails about property news products and you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

@2026 Property News International. All Rights Reserved.

Blends Media
A Blends Media Group Production

The Power 100 Property Leaders 2026

The Power 100 Property Leaders 2026
Date:
Jul. 21, 2026
Paul  Bishop

#16Paul Bishop

Owner & Founder
Category:Visionary Designers
Company:Bishop Design
Residence:Dubai, UAE

Paul Bishop, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, is the Founder and Design Principal of Bishop Design, an internationally recognised, multi-award-winning interior design studio with studios in Dubai, Miami, and Cape Town. With over 30 years of global experience, he is known for creating immersive environments that blend narrative, functionality, and commercial impact.

Paul Bishop – Owner & Founder of Bishop DesignPaul Bishop – Owner & Founder of Bishop Design

Originally from the UK, Paul relocated to the UAE in 1997 and founded Bishop Design in 2004. He has since grown the studio into a global practice, delivering projects across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. His portfolio spans luxury resorts, lifestyle hotels, entertainment venues, and award-winning food and beverage concepts, each defined by a bold, layered aesthetic and a strong sense of place.

Paul has collaborated with leading hospitality brands, operators, and developers, including Rosewood Hotel Group, Marriott International, IHG Hotels & Resorts, SLS Hotel & Residences, Major Food Group, Ennismore, Groot Hospitality, and Sunset Hospitality. He has also worked alongside Michelin-starred chefs such as Massimo Bottura, Henrique Sá Pessoa, and Björn Frantzén, translating culinary vision into highly experiential dining environments.

In 2021, Paul led the expansion of the studio into the United States, establishing a presence in Miami and marking a key milestone in its global growth. Alongside this, he co-founded Custard, a hospitality consultancy focused on concept creation, operations, and strategy, further strengthening his ability to deliver holistic hospitality experiences.

Paul has collected numerous international design awards, including being named “Interior Designer of the Year” eight times, and is regularly featured on international industry lists. Under his leadership, Bishop Design has also been recognised as “Interior Design Firm of the Year” on 12 occasions, amassing over 170 awards globally.

Today, Paul leads a multidisciplinary team across multiple studios, guiding the creative direction of the practice while remaining closely involved in key projects and the ongoing evolution of the brand.

Paul Bishop’s design philosophy is rooted in the belief that every space should tell a story - one that is both distinctive and deliberately crafted. His work is often described as bold, layered, eclectic, and at times provocative, embracing a form of maximalism that is carefully controlled rather than trend-driven - a combination of differing elements that come together in one perfect harmony. Every element is selected with intent, from global influences and local context to audience, behaviour, and brand narrative, ensuring that each space feels authentic, immersive, and purpose-built. Creativity is approached without restraint, but never without discipline.

Paul is known for pushing boundaries and challenging convention, while maintaining a methodical approach to how spaces function in reality. At the same time, his work is grounded in authenticity, creating environments that foster genuine connection and resonate with the people who experience them. Each project is designed not only to create visual impact, but to perform - recognising that what people remember is not a single material or object, but the atmosphere, experience, and lasting impression a space creates.

Paul Bishop’s creative vision is shaped by influences that extend far beyond interior design. Drawing from film, fashion, music, art, and travel, his approach is informed by a cross-disciplinary perspective that blends culture, creativity, and commercial understanding. References range from cinematic storytelling and visual composition, shaped by film directors such as Ridley Scott and David Lynch, to the raw energy of fashion inspired by designers like Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, and Jean Paul Gaultier.

Alongside this, architectural influences such as Carlo Scarpa, Bernard Tschumi, and Zaha Hadid, as well as movements like Deconstructivism, inform a layered and unconventional design language.His work is equally shaped by cultural immersion, responding to local demographics, behaviours, and evolving hospitality philosophies, ensuring each project feels relevant to its context.