Our panel of judges are looking forward to scoring the entries, but in the meantime, a huge thank you to Helen Hare, whose exceptional leadership as this year’s Conference Chair set the tone for an unforgettable programme in one of the world’s most stylish, iconic, and photogenic cities. No place does 'design and brand' quite like Milan, and this quiet little competition ticked away within the buzz of it all.
Entries closed at 5pm on 4 June. The judges will convene on 12 June 2025 to select the prize winners: 1st Place, £1000 cash. Runner-up, £500. Highly commended will be chosen too. This contest in the unforgettable city of Milan was open to all levels and no separate categories were determined. Terms and conditions apply.
As ever, winners will be encouraged to donate a portion of their winnings to the nominated conference charity. This year, it's the wonderful London youth charity, XLP. The judges will be scoring for creativity, originality and adherence to the conference theme, Making Your Mark: The Power of Brand, Design and Quality.
So, who’s calling the shots?
(1st Place Winner of BCO Dublin, 2023)
He co-founded Aros in 2001, and his specialist experience in commercial office design and fit-out put the practice on a firm footing. With extensive experience in commercial office design and fit-out, Mark has played a key role in building the practice’s reputation for delivering modern, commercially astute architectural solutions. His methodical approach and enduring passion for architecture have been fundamental to the successful delivery of numerous high-profile projects.
Architectural, design and brand style: Mark’s design philosophy places emphasis on functionality, clarity, and context. His projects - such as the ‘Lantern’ office development in Maidenhead - demonstrate a refined use of form, elegant façades, and a strong focus on sustainable design, always aiming to maximise efficiency and deliver added value to both clients and the wider community.
Aneeka draws from her extensive background in both the art world and commercial design. She launched her career at the renowned Saatchi Gallery before moving into art sales consultancy, where she honed her eye for creativity and visual storytelling. With a strong grasp of both artistic expression and brand identity, she brings a rich and varied perspective to this year’s BCO Milan Photography Competition.
Artistic, design and brand style: Currently serving as PR
& Communications Manager at Basha-Franklin, Aneeka plays an integral role
in crafting brand narratives that strike a balance between creativity and
clarity. Her aesthetic sensibility leans toward the contemporary with a
cultural flair -thoughtful, refined, and always guided by a strong sense of
purpose and story.
Stacey Henshaw Stacey has spent 30 years working within major design practices in both the UK and across Asia before setting up Shaw Studios with Ruth Bradshaw. Now in its 11th year Shaw Studios is a London-based interior design studio working with end user clients, developers and landlords across commercial focussed projects. With a strong focus on balancing form and function, the studio works on a broad spectrum of feasibility, design and construction projects.
Christina Solomons, Photographer
Alongside editorial work, Christina has produced commissioned photography for clients including HarperCollins, Penguin Books, The Garnered and Summerfuel. Her versatility across industries and ability to draw out the essence of a subject have made her a trusted creative partner across publishing, arts and brand campaigns.
Photographic, design and brand style: Christina’s style is grounded in natural light, quiet observation, and visual honesty. Whether shooting portraits, interiors or behind-the-scenes stills, she blends creative intuition with a strong editorial eye, ensuring her work feels both timeless and impactful.
It’s almost that time when we start reaching out to the shortlist and the lucky winner, so keep an eye on your inbox. T&Cs apply which includes details on how we handle your data, and if you’ve got any questions, drop us a line at mail@bco.org.uk.
BCO
Conference 2025 Photography Competition T’s and C’s:
To allow
entrants more time to enter their photographs after the conference draws to a
close on 30 May 2025, the official competition deadline is Wednesday 4 June
2025 @ 17:00 and no further entries will be accepted after this date.
Entrants may enter up to three photos per person. This is a competition for the
winning photographs from the BCO Conference. ALL skill levels, whether pro or
amateur are invited to participate by capturing and sharing their best photos
from Milan. A 1st Place Winner, Runner-up and Highly Commended will be chosen.
Entries
are judged based on creativity, composition, and adherence to the 2025 theme: “Making
Your Mark: The Power of Brand, Design, and Quality.” Prize winners
will be chosen by a select panel of judges and their decision is final.
Eligibility:
It is free to enter and there are three different ways you can enter.
Only
photos uploaded to the official conference app gallery with name and category, or
via Instagram with @bco_uk tagged will be counted. Entries
with name and chosen category in the subject line will also be accepted by
e-mailing photographs to: mail@bco.org.uk. The competition is open to
BCO Conference attendees ONLY. Those directly involved in the administration or
judging of the competition or employees of The British Council for Offices
(BCO) may submit entries for exhibition purposes only and will not be eligible
for prizes.
Winners
will be notified via email or telephone.
Copyrights
and usage Rights: Winning images will only be used in connection with the
competition and accompanying publicity and will include appropriate photo
credits.
All
photographers retain copyright of their work.
All
entrants agree to the storage of their images in electronic form for the
purpose of judging the competition and the private distribution of those images
as required to complete the judging process.
The
photographer warrants that the rights (of any kind) to the photograph have not
previously been sold or granted to any third party.
Per
Instagram’s rules, this competition is in no way sponsored, administered, or
associated with Instagram or Meta Platforms, Inc. By entering via Instagram,
entrants release Instagram and Meta from any responsibility and agree to
Instagram’s terms of use.
By submitting your entry, you agree to all of the terms and conditions listed here and updated pre-judging, on 6 June 2025.
Personal
data collected for the purpose of administering this competition will be
processed in accordance with the BCO’s privacy policy and current UK data
protection legislation (including GDPR).
These terms and conditions shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes arising under or in connection with these terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.
