TwentyOne06: A Bold Leap into 2025

In the first edition of 2025, our cover features Govind Shepley, Founder & Creative Director of TwentyOne06, who shares insights into the studio’s bold rebranding, exciting projects lined up for 2025, strong client relationships, groundbreaking collaborations, and his visionary approach to shaping the future of design.

By Roma Arora

Govind Shepley is a storyteller whose designs rise above the crowd, blending creativity with purpose. His work transcends simple aesthetics, crafting intentional and memorable spaces. It’s this narrative-driven philosophy that defines his work—transforming Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury hotels into immersive experiences where design sparks emotion, fosters connection, and lingers in memory.As 2025 approaches, Govind is poised to unveil bold, boundary-pushing projects that promise to reshape the future of interior design.

Kicking off 2025 with our cover star, Govind Shepley, Founder and Creative Director of TwentyOne06. He’s the visionary behind designs that don’t just look great—they tell unforgettable stories in every space.

From Humble Beginnings to Industry Success

Those who know Govind know what a humble gentleman he is. He never set out to become a business owner—his passion for design and the encouragement from his supporters pushed him to create his own company. There’s an intriguing story behind how the firm got its name. Govind shares that his journey began not with a grand plan, but with a deep desire to design authentically: “TwentyOne06 was born from a moment of clarity, not a master plan. I never set out to own a business—I just wanted to design authentically. After feeling creatively constrained in previous roles, I took a leap and walked away without a job lined up, seeking to reconnect with my passion for design. The turning point came when former clients reached out, trusting my approach and wanting to work with me again. At that point, I didn’t even have a company name or a trade license—I was working out of my apartment. That’s how TwentyOne06 got its name: it’s the number of the apartment where this journey began.”

There was a pivotal phase in Govind’s life that shifted his focus toward sustainable design, inspiring him to step into the role of both a leader and a designer. He explains, saying: “A defining chapter came when my daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition. At the same time, we were approaching our fifth year in business—a milestone that, as many entrepreneurs know, is often make-or-break. These events reshaped my perspective. I realised the need to build something sustainable for my family and team, shifting from designer to leader and mentor. By focussing on talent and infrastructure, we scaled to take on larger, more ambitious projects. This transformation positioned us to define the standard for design excellence.”

From Designer to Leader

Govind chose the F&B and hospitality sectors for their challenges, innovation demands, and personal passion. The skills developed in these areas were also highly transferable. Recognising the need for growth, he shifted from hands-on design to becoming a leader and mentor. This evolution allowed him to build a strong, dynamic team.

When asked about his leadership style, Govind admits he’s still evolving, drawing inspiration from industry leaders he’s learned from along the way. He emphasises that treating his team the way he once wished to be treated as a designer keeps him grounded and focussed.

“Leadership, for me, is an evolving journey. At TwentyOne06, it’s about constant learning and adapting. I draw from past leaders and focus on balancing support with accountability. It’s about treating my team as I would have wanted to be treated.”

With his principles firmly in place and a mindset of accountability, Govind has built a dream team at his office—something he takes immense pride in. “As the owner of a boutique firm, I’ve learned that every decision I make—no matter how minor—has a cascading effect on our team, business, and clients. This awareness pushes me to be deliberate and thoughtful in my choices. A core principle I emphasise is accountability. My decisions directly influence the team, the company’s trajectory, and even our industry footprint. Likewise, the team’s decisions impact their colleagues, our clients, and the overall success of a project. By fostering a culture of shared responsibility, we ensure that everyone feels invested in our collective success. This philosophy has cultivated a team that not only takes ownership of their roles but also supports one another in achieving our shared goals,” comments Govind.

The Need for Rebranding

Rebranding your own company is one of the hardest tasks—there’s an emotional connection that makes it challenging to see your own brand objectively, feels Govind.

“We applied our expertise in research, data analysis, and brand development to our own rebranding—a challenging yet rewarding process. It was a collaborative effort where every team member played a role in shaping our new identity. When TwentyOne06 started, the focus was on survival and fulfilling immediate needs. With limited resources and my entire life savings invested in this venture (with my wife’s support), we operated on a shoestring budget. There’s immense value in that scrappy, resourceful phase—it teaches resilience and prioritisation. But as we grew, fresh perspectives from new team members and external advisors helped us recognise that our vision had outgrown our original identity,” elaborates Govind.

Govind’s decision to rebrand stemmed from the realisation that the firm had evolved beyond its startup roots. Govind highlights: “The new brand philosophy captures who we are today: a boutique agency delivering cutting-edge, impactful, and storytelling-driven design solutions. It reflects not only our journey but also our future—a commitment to setting benchmarks in the industry while staying true to our roots as innovative problem solvers.”

The Year of Recognition: 2024

2024 has been a landmark year for TwentyOne06, marked by both diversification and recognition. While the F&B sector remains the company’s core strength, it successfully expanded into new areas such as hotels, healthcare, spas, and residential projects.

“2024 has been a year of growth, learning, and achievement, reinforcing our commitment to pushing boundaries and setting new benchmarks in design. We won the Interior Design Concept of the Year: Hotel for Voco Monaco, Design Concept of the Year: Retail, Leisure & Education for Elix Spa, and Highly Commended in the Interior Design of the Year: F&B Casual for Nama Yoso at the Commercial Interior Design MENA Awards, alongside being Highly Commended for Interior Designer of the Yearat the Design Middle East Awards. These awards are not just trophies—they’re a testament to the hard work, creativity, and passion our team pours into every project.,” says Govind with pride.

This year, TwentyOne06’s collaboration with Michelin-awarded chefs reached new heights, with projects like Reif Kushiyaki, TERO, and Hoe Lee Kow showcasing how intentional design can transform dining into unforgettable experiences.

Circling back to your award-winning streak, how has your recent win at the Design Middle East Awards inspired you and your team? “Winning the Design Middle East Award was a humbling moment for our team, affirming our clients’ trust. It motivates us to continue pushing boundaries and refining our craft, ensuring every project tells a unique, bold story, says Govind.

From Aggressive Growth to Focussed Growth

In 2024, TwentyOne06 embraced a vision of “Aggressive Growth.” This meant pushing the boundaries of what the team could achieve in a short span—expanding, diversifying into new sectors, and driving significant revenue growth.

“In 2025, we are transitioning to a strategy of “Focussed Growth.” The goal is to build on the successes of 2024 while refining our processes and optimising our approach. This means doubling down on areas where we excel, adjusting strategies that didn’t yield results, and streamlining inefficiencies. We are now focussing on addressing internal bottlenecks and streamlining workflows. By hiring an experienced design manager to optimize deliverables and support the team, we ensure timelines are met without compromising quality. This shift allows me to focus on strategic growth and creative direction while fostering a more efficient and structured environment. With “Focused Growth” as our guiding principle, we’re building a sustainable foundation for long-term success,” remarks Govind.

Govind further credits placing the right people in the right roles as a key aspect of this focussed growth. He puts it correctly: “At TwentyOne06, I believe that hunger, creativity, and common sense are non-negotiable. Skills can be taught, but these intrinsic qualities are what drive individuals to excel in our environment. When building the team, I prioritise finding individuals who can bring more passion, expertise, or focus than I can. I seek people who complement my weaknesses and offer fresh perspectives. For instance, our marketing manager, Hanaa, transitioned from fashion design to marketing, bringing a deep understanding of storytelling that aligns with our ethos of narrative-driven design. I also focus on uncovering hidden potential, and empowering individuals to take ownership and grow. This approach has been key to our success, ensuring we have a skilled, aligned team that creates impactful, purpose-driven designs.”

Building Lasting Client Relationships

Building the right client relationships isn’t just about securing projects for Govind; it’s about aligning with partners who share his design philosophy, appreciate the team’s focus on sustainability, and understand the value of emotionally resonant, experiential spaces. Govind mentions: “Growth naturally brings evolution, and some clients we’ve worked with in the past may no longer align with where we are today. This isn’t a setback—it’s a progression that opens doors to new opportunities with collaborators who better match our direction.”

So, how to tackle this? Govind explains: “To support this shift, I’ve restructured parts of the team, including bringing on a design manager to handle day-to-day operations. This has given me the bandwidth to focus on relationship-building, whether it’s connecting with new clients or rekindling partnerships with past collaborators who resonate with our evolved vision. We focus on partnering with clients who inspire us, challenge us creatively, and share our values. Success comes from working with the right people on projects where both sides are fully invested. By prioritising meaningful collaborations, we’re not just expanding our portfolio—we’re establishing ourselves as a trusted, forward-thinking leader in design.”

Diverse projects planned for 2025!

For Govind, storytelling drives their design philosophy, creating spaces that foster connections and evoke emotions. While they excel in hospitality, their adaptable approach delivers impactful results across healthcare, commercial, and residential sectors.

“At TwentyOne06, we bring storytelling to life across various sectors. For IRISE Tower, the transformation of a traditional workspace into a dynamic environment that sparks creativity and collaboration is underway. At Acacia Dental Clinic, the focus is on redefining patient care by creating spaces that prioritize comfort and calm, using hospitality-driven principles. With Flaky Pastry, a bakery experience is being designed that serves as both a culinary destination and a cultural hub. Our clients choose us for more than just functionality—they want spaces that captivate, connect, and communicate a clear narrative, elevating experiences across industries with purposeful, beautiful design. For 2025, our focus remains the same: to create environments that seamlessly combine purpose, story, and operational excellence, ensuring every project tells a tale worth remembering,” shares Govind.

Leading in 2025

After an ambitious 2024, 2025 will be a year of focussed growth and transformation for both Govind and the company. His primary role as a leader will be to nurture the team and cultivate stronger, more meaningful relationships with clients.

Govind states: “One of my key objectives is to cultivate the next generation of leaders within the company, empowering them to take ownership of their departments. For instance, Mike Kobzar will begin managing the branding department, and I’m committed to guiding him through the process of running a department as its own entity, equipping him with the skills to lead successfully.”

Govind wants to simultaneously to deepen the client relationships by prioritising trust, transparency, and understanding. “I aim to ensure our clients are not only satisfied with the final design but also feel a true connection to the process. Part of this is educating them on what good design requires, helping them appreciate its value and the thoughtfulness behind every decision. By aligning client expectations with the creative process, we can achieve exceptional results while fostering deeper collaboration and satisfaction,” wraps up Govind.

Without a doubt, Govind has a well-crafted plan in his creative mind, focussing on empowering his
team and strengthening external relationships, positioning TwentyOne06 for sustainable success in
2025 and beyond.