Roger Swales
“Good industrial design is about creating ever more human-centered experiences — solutions that harness technological possibility while
aligning with long-term business goals to drive growth and expand market potential. It’s about advancing sustainability for the user, the brand, the business, and the planet we share.”
Career and achievements
In 1999, Roger co-founded GRO design with fellow designers Roland Bird and Graham Hinde. For 25 years, GRO collaborated with global industry leaders across Consumer, Healthcare, and B2B markets, working with brands including: Siemens, Nespresso, Sonos, Stanley Black & Decker, Microsoft, Grohe, Toto, Novo Nordisk, Philips Healthcare, Shark Ninja, HP, Beats by Dr. Dre, Haier, Unilever, Vodafone, Nokia, LGE, Samsung, Panasonic, Denon, Heineken, Masterfoods, Ultimaker, Gillette, Dell, Axion Biosystems, and many more. GRO design received multiple international design awards.
Prior to that, Roger was part of Philips Design in the Netherlands for over a decade. He contributed to groundbreaking projects such as Philips Alessi (1994), designing the water kettle and citrus press concept that earned the Kho Liang Design Award, and Philips Vision of the Future (1995), where he was a core team member on this strategic project, which won IDSA Gold.
Recognition and design jury roles
Roger’s design expertise has been recognized globally through numerous prestigious design awards. He has served as a juror for: iF Product Design Awards (2010); International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA 2013 - 2014) — Hosted by IDSA, promoting innovation, best practices, and industry growth; Hong Kong Exporters’ Association Adjudication & Forum (2012, 2013, 2021,2026).
Daniel van Alphen
“Great design happens when human insight, business strategy, and technology come together to solve meaningful problems. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on building teams and creating products that not only delight customers but also drive lasting impact—transforming bold ideas into innovations that improve lives and create value”.
Career and achievements
Daniel is an accomplished design leader with more than 20 years of experience driving innovation, product development, and design transformation across healthcare and consumer products. His career spans both leading design consultancies and global corporations, providing a unique perspective on how to connect business strategy with design. He has held leadership positions at DELVE, IDEO, SharkNinja, and Philips, where he built and led high-performing design organizations, developed new design strategies, and delivered award-winning products that achieved both market success and business impact. Known for combining strategic vision with hands-on execution, Daniel helps organizations translate customer insights into differentiated products and growth opportunities.
