What Pearson Lloyd Design does

Pearson Lloyd Design Ltd is a London-based, founder-led industrial design studio founded in 1997 by Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd, operating as an independent private limited company (registration 4579758) with 11-50 employees and a 6,000 sq ft studio and events space at Yorkton Workshops in Hackney. The studio delivers strategic design services across four phases — Discovery, Foresight, Design, and Delivery — to enterprise and government clients in aviation (Lufthansa Group, Virgin Atlantic, SWISS), workplace and office furniture manufacturing (Teknion, Bene, Allermuir, Senator, Profim, Modus, INCLASS, Howe), mobility and accessibility (Access BDD / TK Elevator), hospitality, education, and the public realm (City of Bath).

The studio's economic model combines project-based professional services fees with a substantial licensing and royalty stream: designed products are manufactured and sold globally by licensing partners under OEM-style arrangements, allowing Pearson Lloyd to scale revenue without inventory or distribution infrastructure. Notable proprietary outputs include the patented Advanced Swivel Levelling (ASL) technology on the Flow X stairlift, the pioneering Recycled Expanded Polypropylene (REPP) frame application from Link (2007) carried into the Profim Revo collection, and a design language spanning aviation cabins (Lufthansa Allegris, SWISS Senses, Virgin Upper Class) and a broad furniture portfolio (Teknion Zones, Bene PORTS, Allermuir Kaya/Coro/Famiglia, Modus Edge Free, Senator CoLab).

The studio is privately held, has not raised external capital, and has no disclosed revenue. Its competitive position rests on founder-led creative authorship, 25+ years of cross-sector research depth, demonstrable sustainability and circular-design outcomes (Revo's 74% recyclability, Edge Free's 33% lighter frame, SixE's non-virgin recycled plastic relaunch), and long-tenured OEM partnerships that embed designed products into the global brand portfolios of major manufacturers and airlines.

Name

Pearson Lloyd Design

Legal name

Pearson Lloyd Design Ltd

Website

https://pearsonlloyd.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Pearson Lloyd is a London-based industrial design studio founded in 1997 by Luke Pearson and Tom Lloyd, delivering strategic design services and licensing designed furniture, aviation seats, mobility products, and public realm systems to enterprise clients and global manufacturers including Lufthansa Group, Teknion, Bene, Allermuir, and TK Elevator.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Design Consultancy and Commissioned Projects: Pearson Lloyd is engaged by enterprise clients to design products, services, and spaces across aviation, workplace, public realm, and healthcare sectors. Revenue is generated through project fees for discovery, foresight, design, and delivery phases. The studio operates as a service consultancy with project-based engagements.
2. Furniture Product Licensing and Royalties: Long-term partnerships with furniture manufacturers (Teknion, Bene, Allermuir, Senator, Profim, Modus, INCLASS, HC28, esPattio, Cozmo, Howe) result in licensed product collections that are manufactured and sold at scale. The studio earns licensing or royalty income from these manufactured products. Notable examples include the Teknion Zones collection, Bene PORTS, Allermuir Kaya/Coro/Famiglia, Revo for Profim, and CoLab for Senator.
3. Product Licensing — Aviation and Mobility: The Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Seat was licensed to Air New Zealand, enabling Pearson Lloyd's client to offset development costs. Similarly, the TK Elevator S200 stairlift (a variant of Flow X developed with Access BDD) is manufactured and sold by TK Home Solutions BV.
4. Exhibition Curation and Events: The studio curates and presents its own exhibition series (Well Made / Godt Lavet) at design festivals, with Yorkton Workshops used as a rentable gallery and events venue. Revenue is generated through venue hire, collaborative ventures, and events.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Pearson Lloyd is a London-based design studio that delivers strategic design services across four phases — Discovery, Foresight, Design, and Delivery — to enterprise clients in aviation, workplace furniture, public realm, and mobility sectors. The studio produces licensed product collections that are manufactured and sold at scale by partner companies such as Teknion, Bene, Allermuir, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, SWISS, Senator, Profim, Modus, INCLASS, HC28, Cozmo, Howe, and Access BDD. The studio also curates exhibitions and rents its Yorkton Workshops space in Hackney for industry events.

Product overview

Pearson Lloyd Design is a London-based design studio offering strategic design services across four phases: Discovery, Foresight, Design, and Delivery. Their portfolio encompasses furniture design for workplace, hospitality, and home environments; aviation interior design for airlines including Lufthansa, SWISS, and Virgin Atlantic; urban wayfinding and street furniture systems; and mobility products. The studio collaborates with manufacturers such as Allermuir, Bene, Teknion, Senator, Profim, Modus, INCLASS, HC28, Cozmo, and esPattio to bring designs to market. Key product lines include the Allermuir seating family (Kaya, Coro, Famiglia), Bene PORTS leadership workspace collection, Profim Revo circular seating, Modus Edge Free foam-free seating, Teknion Zones and Aarea workplace solutions, Senator CoLab learning environments, and aviation seats for Lufthansa Allegris Business Class. Their design approach emphasizes sustainability, circular economy principles, and human-centered ergonomics.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Design Services Strategic design consultancy service delivered across four phases: Discovery (brand immersion, research, analysis), Foresight (futures mapping, creative direction), Design (innovation roadmap, prototyping, industrial design), and Delivery (implementation, CMF, launch support). Engaged by enterprise clients across aviation, workplace, public realm, and mobility sectors.
• Allermuir Kaya Workplace seating collection with plywood shell construction and subtle curvature, available in compact meeting chairs, wider seating options, and medium/high back versions with aluminium arm options; designed for Allermuir.
• Allermuir Coro Purposeful and adaptable lounge chair with three-cushion composition for relaxed, informal seating; plywood structure with foam profile and memory foam layering, designed for Allermuir.
• Allermuir Famiglia Versatile seating and table collection for workplace and hospitality environments, including low, mid, high-back and lounge chairs with array of leg options and complementary tables with power access; designed for Allermuir.
• Bene PORTS Leadership workspace furniture collection with work lounge, table, and storage typologies for private offices and collaborative group work, reflecting non-hierarchical, open and dynamic leadership patterns; designed for Bene.
• Access Flow X Stairlift Revolutionary stairlift incorporating patented Advanced Swivel Levelling (ASL) technology, automatic folding mechanism, integrated joystick controls, and built-in call function; designed for Access BDD (a division of TK Elevator) to bring design-led aesthetics to a new generation of design-aware seniors.
• Lufthansa Business Class Seat & Cabin Lie-flat business class seat and full cabin environment with 'V' layout providing a 1.98-metre bed, increased privacy, maximised bed length and seat width, and soft synthetic leather shell lining with hazel colour; designed for Lufthansa across B747 Business Class, A350 Economy Class, and the Allegris Business Class for new long-haul aircraft.
• Virgin Atlantic Upper Class Seat Aircraft seat with herringbone layout featuring a shield/shell design for privacy and cocooning; converts to a completely flat bed via a newly developed mechanism, with an industry-first air bag allowing passengers to take off and land in either lounge or upright position; designed for Virgin Atlantic Airways.
• SWISS Senses Business Class Business class seat and cabin design with a new CMF language featuring rounded, soft and enveloping shapes, burgundy and anthracite colours conveying cosy and intimate ambience; built on the Lufthansa Group cabin platform and designed for SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines).
• City of Bath Wayfinding and Street Furniture Complete wayfinding system and street furniture range comprising bronze monoliths with circular vitreous enamel maps, bus shelters, benches, bins, bollards, water fountains, and bike stands; designed for the City of Bath in bronze and vitreous enamel materials that complement Bath's Georgian architecture.
• Senator CoLab Next-generation learning and work furniture system supporting multi-posture, multi-modal environments, with integrated power distribution through a central seating spine offering sit, stand, and perch options; designed for Senator (The Senator Group) in collaboration with Nottingham Trent University's TILT institute.
• Profim Revo Breakthrough circular economy seating collection using recycled expanded polypropylene (REPP) instead of plywood, reducing product weight by ~40%; modular sofas, benches, screens and stools with 96 distinct configurations; designed for Profim.
• Modus Edge Free Foam-free seating platform using coconut fibre (food industry waste), wool over steel springs within a timber frame, delivering significantly lower embodied carbon than conventional foam seating; designed for Modus.
• INCLASS Kern Fully modular seating system composed of four collections — sofas, modular seats, meeting booths, and occasional tables — designed for interaction and waiting spaces; designed for INCLASS.
• Teknion Aarea Adaptable chair range with three variants: swivel-based task chair, fixed-leg casual lounge chair, and compact conference chair; features zero-waste 3D-knitted recycled polyester socks and minimal tubular steel frame; designed for Teknion.
• Teknion Zones Collection encompassing seating, tabling, enclosures, storage and accessories for activity-based working, mixing traditional and modern manufacturing with focus on productivity and informal social spaces; designed for Teknion.
• Arconas Avro Sleek, endlessly flexible terminal seating system with integrated USB power in armrests, endlessly recyclable aluminium structural components, and vivid contemporary design for airport waiting areas; designed for Arconas.
• Lufthansa Group AiO Lounge Concept Airport lounge concept and furniture collection with multifunctional feature walls wrapping power, storage, lighting, and acoustic calm into a unified guest experience; designed for Lufthansa Group (Austrian Airlines and Brussels Airlines).

Quantifiable outcome

• Revo for Profim generates 176 kgCO2 in production and 9.5 kgCO2 in transportation — respectively 6% and 40% less than conventional wood-based furniture construction. 74% of materials are recyclable (vs 5% in equivalent wood structure). 90% of REPP used is already recycled material.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers20 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature9 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• TeknionflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Ongoing collaboration since 2014. Pearson Lloyd describes Zones as their most ambitious work yet for the Canadian furniture brand. Collections include Zones, Aarea chairs, Cosi laptop tables, Shade Screens, Routes, and the Essen task chair. Teknion manufactures and distributes globally.
• Access BDD (TK Elevator)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPearson Lloyd developed the Flow X stairlift with Access BDD, a division of TK Elevator. The partnership involved 10 years of research, design and development. The result is a transformative mobility product featuring patented ASL technology. A variant, the S200, was produced for TK Home Solutions BV (a separate TK Elevator division) and won a Red Dot Award 2021.
• LufthansaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of Pearson Lloyd's longest-running partnerships, dating from 1997. The studio has designed Lufthansa's B747 Business Class seat and cabin, Economy Class for the A350 fleet, and the groundbreaking Allegris Business Class (launched 2024). The partnership involves extensive research, co-creation workshops, and iterative prototyping across the Lufthansa Group, including SWISS.
• BenecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing partnership with Austrian workplace furniture manufacturer Bene, producing PORTS (leadership workspace collection, winner of Red Dot Best of the Best and iF DESIGN Gold Award 2020), Timba, Parcs, and Riya. Bene's Ports is described as the brand's best-selling product to date. The partnership also includes bFRIENDS desk accessories produced with Batch.Works.
• AllermuircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with UK-based furniture manufacturer Allermuir. Collections include Kaya (plywood shell meeting/work chair), Coro (adaptable lounge chair), Famiglia (versatile seating for workplace and hospitality), and Kin. Famiglia was reimagined in 2023 with improved comfort and redesigned for repair.
• Senator (The Senator Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoLab furniture system designed in collaboration with Senator and the Trent Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT) at Nottingham Trent University. The collection represents 2 years of primary research into global pedagogy trends. CoLab won NeoCon Gold for Education Solutions 2023. Managing Director Robert Mustoe described the partnership as made possible by Senator's fierce independence and desire to build lasting relationships.
• ProfimcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRevo — endlessly configurable modular seating collection for Profim, a Polish workplace furniture manufacturer. Championing the circular economy with 74% recyclable materials and REPP frames reducing weight by ~40%. Manufacturing is local to Poland with short supply chains. Marketing Director Magdalena Borowiec noted Pearson Lloyd's ability to identify and respond to global trends.
• ModuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEdge Free collection — foam-free seating system using coconut fibre, food industry waste, wool and steel springs in a timber frame. Edge Free delivers significantly lower embodied carbon with 33% lower frame weight for reduced transportation carbon. Also designed Edge (foam-based) and PLC seating for Modus.
• INCLASScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKern — a fully modular seating system for INCLASS composed of four collections: sofas, modular seats, meeting booths, and occasional tables. Kern creates a complete universe of versatile elements for interaction and waiting spaces.
• Virgin Atlantic AirwaysflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerUpper Class Seat design for Virgin Atlantic, introducing a shield/shell concept, herringbone layout, and flat-bed conversion with air bag technology. The chair was used to represent Virgin in its advertising campaign and was subsequently licensed to Air New Zealand, enabling Virgin to offset development costs.
• SWISS (Swiss International Air Lines)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSenses Business Class seat and cabin design developed with SWISS Brand Management, building on 15 years of Lufthansa Group collaboration. Features a new CMF language with rounded, soft shapes in burgundy and anthracite, inspired by Swiss nature and architecture. Uses the same cabin and seating platform as Lufthansa Allegris.
• ArconasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAvro — terminal seating system for Arconas, fusing their expertise in airport furniture with Pearson Lloyd's design language. Features endlessly recyclable aluminium structural components, integrated USB power in armrests, and a contemporary design language for airport waiting areas.
• TAKTcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCross Chair (T01) for Danish startup TAKT — a self-assembly timber stacking chair where all parts can be replaced by the owner. TAKT publishes embodied carbon data for all parts of the production and distribution process. Cross Chair won the German Design Award 2021 and was shortlisted for a Dezeen Award 2019.
• HoweminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSixE chair for Howe — originally designed in 2010 to avoid composite materials for recyclability. Relaunched in 2023 using non-virgin recycled plastic, making the product truly circular. Ambitions set in 2010 have come full circle.
• CozmocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHUG high-back modular sofa system for Cozmo. Designed by physical 1:1 model making with foam, feathers and steel. Features a precision-welded foldable steel frame enabling flat-pack delivery and tool-free assembly. Removable and replaceable cushion covers support longevity and adaptability.
• HC28 maisoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst collaboration with Chinese furniture brand HC28 maison. Collections ORRA (sculptural seating) and IRIS were launched simultaneously, representing a new expressive direction for the studio. Luke Pearson noted that HC28's clarity and decisiveness gave the studio confidence to focus on pure creative expression for a new audience.
• esPattiominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVeleta modular soft-seating system for esPattio. Inclusive comfort designed for different body types using modular blocks in varying heights and depths. Built with circularity in mind — plywood frame enables repair, reuse and material recovery.
• Cassion Castle ArchitectscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCollaboration to design and transform Yorkton Workshops — a series of dilapidated Victorian and modern workshop buildings in Hackney — into Pearson Lloyd's permanent studio, workshop, archive, and events space. Project completed September 2020. Won AJ Retrofit of the Year 2021. Featured in Dezeen, Wallpaper*, Architects Journal, OnOffice, and Mix Interiors.
• Batch.WorksminorStrategic or Co-development Partner3D-print startup producing bFRIENDS desk accessories collection for Bene and Pearson Lloyd. Made from locally sourced 100% recycled post-consumer waste bioplastic (RPLA: 0.96 kg CO2e). Produced on demand with no tooling or warehousing. Batch.Works offers a take-back scheme for end-of-life products.
• Trent Institute for Learning and Teaching (TILT), Nottingham Trent UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership informing the CoLab project. TILT researchers contributed synthesised insights from 2 years of primary research into global pedagogy trends, helping define the 'café classroom' concept and the need for informal, multi-modal, multi-posture tech-enabled learning spaces.
• Austrian Airlines / Brussels AirlinesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAiO lounge concept tested at Austrian Business Lounge at Vienna Airport and Brussels Airlines' THE LOFT lounge at Brussels Airport. Both are Lufthansa Group airlines, and the concept adapts the Ports seating system for varied lounge postures and needs.
• CityID and FWDesignminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborating partners on the City of Bath wayfinding and street furniture project. CityID and FWDesign developed wayfinding graphics under Pearson Lloyd's design leadership, successfully merging pedestrian and transport routes and promoting walking in the compact city.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Heatherwick Studio: London design studio operating at the intersection of architecture, product, and public realm, with comparable profile of high-profile public commissions and award recognition. Direct peer to Pearson Lloyd given shared London base, public-realm work, and similar craft-driven methodology.
• Seymourpowell: London design consultancy with a long-standing cross-sector practice spanning transport, home, workplace, and healthcare. Direct peer to Pearson Lloyd in terms of multi-disciplinary methodology, aviation/transport work, and a comparable mix of enterprise clients and consumer brand partners.
• Barber Osgerby: London design studio founded by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, operating in product, furniture, and installation design with similar scale and craft-led methodology. Direct peer to Pearson Lloyd given shared London location, comparable client mix (furniture manufacturers, public realm), and analogous award-winning profile.
• Map Project Office: London product design studio working across furniture, consumer products, and public-realm commissions with a research-led, prototype-driven approach. Direct peer to Pearson Lloyd given similar craft emphasis, primary-research methodology, and furniture-manufacturer client base.
• PriestmanGoode: London-based design studio with a comparable multi-sector practice spanning aviation interiors (British Airways, Cathay), transport, workplace, and hospitality. Direct peer to Pearson Lloyd given shared client base in airline seat/cabin design and similar boutique consultancy model.
• Jasper Morrison Ltd: London-based industrial designer operating a studio model that licenses furniture and product designs to manufacturers such as Vitra, Cappellini, and Maruni. Direct peer to Pearson Lloyd given the licensed-product revenue model, multi-decade tenure, and similar furniture OEM client mix.
• Industrial Facility: London-based product design studio founded by Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, working with global furniture and technology brands on long-running licensed product programmes. Direct peer to Pearson Lloyd given the furniture licensing model, manufacturer relationships, and premium positioning.

Others

• Foster + Partners: Global architecture and integrated design practice with industrial design and product design capabilities through its industrial design team. Other/adjacent peer given overlap in aviation interiors (e.g., airline lounge concepts) but a fundamentally different scale and architecture-led core.

Emerging players

• Tom Dixon: London-based design brand and studio with a stronger emphasis on owned-brand lighting, furniture, and accessories retailed directly. Emerging/adjacent peer to Pearson Lloyd in industrial design aesthetic and licensing, but with a more retail-led business model.

Broad incumbents

• Pentagram: Global design partnership with a much broader portfolio spanning graphic design, branding, digital, and product design. Broader incumbent peer rather than direct — overlaps with Pearson Lloyd in strategic design and product work but extends well beyond industrial design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pearsonlloyd
• Instagraminstagram.com/pearsonlloyd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Pearson Lloyd Design