What Grand Designs Live does

Grand Designs Live is a UK consumer exhibition event for the self-build, renovation, and home improvement sector, operated by Media 10 Ltd under a trademark licence from FremantleMedia Limited. The event runs twice per year at two anchor venues: ExCeL London (1-4 May 2026; 30 April-3 May 2027) and NEC Birmingham (2-4 October 2026), attracting self-builders, homeowners undertaking renovation, architects, builders, and trade professionals seeking product discovery and expert advice. The exhibition is anchored by the Grand Designs media brand from the Channel 4 television series and Grand Designs Magazine, which provides top-of-funnel demand generation and visitor trust.

The core product is the physical exhibition experience itself, comprising a curated exhibitor hall (30+ exhibiting companies per event), a centrepiece show home called the Grand House built from integrated sponsor contributions, Expert Advice zones offering one-to-one consultations, Live Talks featuring industry personalities (including presenter Kevin McCloud), and competitions such as the Garden Glow Up and Flatpack. Ticketing is distributed through SeeTickets across standard, trade, VIP, and press tiers, with hotel bookings via Hotel Planner for out-of-region visitors. The platform does not involve proprietary software beyond standard event web infrastructure.

Grand Designs Live monetises through three streams: visitor ticket sales (transaction-based via SeeTickets), exhibitor booth fees, and a tiered sponsorship architecture. Sponsorship runs from a flagship tier (Daikin as headline sponsor) through major tier (Cosentino, Howdens, Smeg, ROCKWOOL, Stiga, Roper Rhodes) to minor tier (RIBA, CIOB, Society of Garden Designers, Quiet Mark, and others). Revenue is not publicly disclosed. The operating entity Media 10 Ltd is a private UK limited company incorporated in England and Wales, headquartered in Loughton, with no venture capital, private equity, or public market ownership evidenced in the available data.

Name

Grand Designs Live

Legal name

Media 10 Ltd

Website

https://granddesignslive.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Grand Designs Live is a UK consumer exhibition for self-build, renovation, and home improvement, operated by Media 10 Ltd under licence from FremantleMedia Limited and held bi-annually at ExCeL London and NEC Birmingham for homeowners, self-builders, and trade professionals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Home Design Exhibitions

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Wedding & Bridal Shows (MPAGAFAK)

Keywords

• Home renovation exhibitions
• Consumer home shows
• Self-build trade shows
• Interior design events
• Property trade fairs

Headquarters

HQ city

Loughton

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Visitor Ticket Sales: Revenue generated from selling tickets to consumers attending the exhibition. Tickets are sold through SeeTickets platform with options for standard entry, trade tickets, and VIP experiences.
2. Exhibitor Booth Fees: Revenue from companies exhibiting at the show, including feature opportunities in the Grand House show home.
3. Sponsorship: Sponsorship revenue from brands including Daikin (main sponsor), Cosentino, Howdens, Quiet Mark, Smeg, and others with various sponsorship tiers and visibility packages.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Grand Designs Live is a UK consumer exhibition held bi-annually at ExCeL London and NEC Birmingham, showcasing self-build, renovation, and home improvement products and services. The event connects homeowners and self-builders with hundreds of exhibitors through the Grand House show home, expert advice sessions, live talks, and sponsor activations. Tickets, exhibitor booth space, and sponsorship packages are sold as the principal commercial offerings.

Product overview

Grand Designs Live is a dual-location UK home design and renovation exhibition held annually at ExCeL London (1-4 May) and NEC Birmingham (2-4 October). The event features the Grand House centrepiece showcase, Expert Advice sessions, Live Talks, competitions (Garden Glow Up, Flatpack), and a VIP Experience option. The exhibition connects visitors with exhibitors across windows, doors, outdoor living, heating, and home improvement categories, with major sponsors including Daikin, Cosentino, Howdens, Smeg, and others.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Grand House: The centrepiece show home feature at the exhibition showcasing integrated home design solutions
• Grand Designs Portfolio
• Design House

Products and services

• Grand Designs Live Exhibition The core exhibition product: a multi-day consumer trade show at ExCeL London and NEC Birmingham featuring exhibitors, expert advice, live talks, competitions, and the Grand House show home. Sold via standard, trade, and press tickets through SeeTickets.
• VIP Experience Premium ticket upgrade offering fast-track entry, exclusive VIP lounge with complimentary refreshments, and the opportunity to meet Kevin McCloud.
• Exhibitor Booth Space Booth and stand space at the London and Birmingham exhibitions sold to home improvement brands across windows, doors, kitchens, bathrooms, outdoor living, and related categories.
• Sponsorship Packages Tiered sponsorship packages (flagship, major, minor) for brands seeking visibility at the exhibition, including logo placement, Grand House feature integration, and digital promotion. Daikin, Cosentino, Howdens, Smeg, ROCKWOOL, Stiga, and Roper Rhodes are confirmed sponsors.

Quantifiable outcome

• Bi-annual events serving the UK home improvement market across two major exhibition venues

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major and minor.

• DaikinflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2026Daikin is the headline sponsor for Grand Designs Live events in 2026, receiving prominent brand visibility across exhibition materials, venue branding, and digital channels. Daikin provides heating and cooling solutions for the Grand House feature.
• Media 10 LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia 10 Ltd is the organiser of Grand Designs Live, holding operational responsibility for event management, exhibitor relations, venue coordination, and marketing. The company operates under licence from FremantleMedia Limited.
• FremantleMedia LimitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFremantleMedia Limited is the intellectual property holder for the Grand Designs trademark and TV series, licensing the brand for use in connection with the Grand Designs Live exhibition.
• SeeTicketscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeeTickets is the primary ticketing partner for Grand Designs Live, handling all ticket sales through their platform for both London and Birmingham events.
• CosentinomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship partnership providing surface materials (silestone/m Dekton) for the Grand House feature, with logo placement and brand visibility at the exhibition.
• HowdensmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerKitchen and joinery sponsor providing kitchen solutions for the Grand House feature, with brand visibility throughout the exhibition.
• RIBAminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRoyal Institute of British Architects partnership providing professional credibility and member outreach for the exhibition.
• CIOBminorGTM or Marketing PartnerChartered Institute of Building partnership for trade professional outreach and industry credibility.
• Society of Garden DesignersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional body partnership supporting garden and landscape design content at the exhibition.
• SmegmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerKitchen appliance sponsor providing premium appliances for the Grand House feature with brand visibility.
• Quiet MarkminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAcoustic certification body partnership for noise-reducing products featured at the exhibition.
• ROCKWOOLmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerInsulation materials sponsor for the Grand House feature with brand visibility and product demonstrations.
• StigamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerGarden machinery partner providing autonomous robot lawnmowers and sustainable living equipment for the Grand House exterior area.
• EuroplantersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGRP planters and street furniture provider for the exterior and garden area.
• Green Roof Product SolutionsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGreen roof system provider featuring the Urbanscape engineered green roof solution.
• Natural CraftminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNatural swimming pool specialist providing bespoke natural pools for the Grand House feature.
• REP FitnessminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPremium home gym equipment supplier for the outdoor gym area at the Grand House.
• Gaviota UKminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPergola and outdoor living solutions provider featuring Clima Air pergola and Lusol awning.
• Roper RhodesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial Bathroom Partner for the 2026 Grand House, providing bathroom fixtures and fittings.
• Cult FurnitureminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContemporary furniture provider for interior spaces at the exhibition.
• GrabexminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAdvertising partner with banner placements throughout the exhibition website and venue.
• Nispero KitchensminorGTM or Marketing PartnerKitchen solutions sponsor with advertising placements and venue visibility.
• TerathermminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSurface thermal energy systems provider showcasing innovative resin-bound heating and cooling technology.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• London Design Festival: UK-wide design event programme with a London hub. Comparable audience overlap (design-conscious consumers and trade professionals) and brand-sponsor dynamics, but operates as a citywide festival rather than a single ticketed exhibition.
• Clerkenwell Design Week: London-based annual design event with a strong focus on interiors, furniture, and architectural products. Comparable audience of design professionals and brand-driven sponsor model, but with a more localised show-around-showrooms format.

Direct peers

• 100% Design: UK contemporary design trade show held in London. Comparable in operating model as a design-focused exhibition with brand sponsorships and trade/consumer audience mix. Sister event organised by Media 10 Ltd.
• Homebuilding & Renovating Show: UK consumer exhibition targeting self-builders and renovators, the closest direct competitor to Grand Designs Live in the UK home improvement show segment. Operates at multiple UK venues and shares the same target audience of self-builders, renovators, and trade professionals.
• Build It Live: UK self-build and custom-build consumer exhibition directly comparable in target audience and product (self-build, renovation, energy efficiency). Runs at regional UK venues and competes for the same pool of self-build exhibitors and visitors.
• Decorex: UK luxury interior design trade exhibition. Comparable in operating model (ticketed design show, brand sponsorships, designer and trade audience) and overlapping exhibitor base in the high-end home furnishings and interior design category.
• Ideal Home Show: Long-running UK consumer home and lifestyle exhibition, closely comparable in audience (homeowners, renovators) and exhibition format. Notably also organised by Media 10 Ltd, making it both a direct competitor and a sister event to Grand Designs Live.

Others

• Grand Designs Magazine: Print and digital magazine covering self-build and renovation under the same Grand Designs brand licensed by FremantleMedia. Not a direct competitor but a tightly coupled media property that drives the same audience funnel and is referenced throughout the Grand Designs Live marketing stack.

Broad incumbents

• Salone del Mobile (Milan Design Week): The world's largest furniture and design exhibition, serving as the international benchmark for design trade shows. Comparable in operating model (ticketed trade + consumer event, major brand sponsors, design showcases) but at a much larger global scale.
• Maison & Objet: Paris-based biannual design, decor, and lifestyle trade show. Comparable as a large-scale, brand-led design exhibition with strong sponsor ecosystems and a mix of trade and consumer audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/granddesigns
• Facebookfacebook.com/GrandDesigns
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grand-designs-live
• Instagraminstagram.com/granddesignstv

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Grand Designs Live