Inspirational Women: Accelerating Action with Gurvinder Khurana, Director at M Moser Associates

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, Design Insider is proud to present a special series highlighting Inspirational Women leading the way in commercial interiors. These visionary professionals are shaping the industry through experience, their unique approach, and a commitment to driving meaningful change.

This year’s theme, Accelerate Action, underscores the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers and fast-track progress toward gender equality. At the current rate, full parity won’t be reached until 2158—five generations from now. By amplifying the voices of women who are making a tangible impact, we aim to inspire industry-wide action and showcase effective strategies that help move the needle faster.

In this exclusive interview series, we speak with Gurvinder Khurana, Director at M Moser Associates, to explore her journey, insights, and the initiatives she supports to create a more inclusive and equitable commercial interiors sector. From championing rising talent to breaking down barriers in leadership, she shares how we can all contribute to a future where women thrive.

Can you start by introducing yourself, your role, and your business? What drives your passion for the work you do?

My name is Gurvinder Khurana. I am a Director at M Moser Associates based in London, but I work across the whole EMEA region. Before this role, I co-ran a Design Consultancy with my husband, Nigel Tresise, which I mention because it has been a big part of my journey to where I am today.

I love design! I always have. I’m drawn to the challenge, the creativity and the art of the possible. Like many of life’s greatest passions, my love for design has deepened over time—evolving into something far greater than I ever imagined.

With over 20 years in the industry, much of my work has centred on workplace design. Like so many of my peers, I’ve lived through the fundamental repositioning of this small part of the real estate world. People have learnt to pay attention and care about the impact our environments have on us. There is a deeper appreciation for the value of well-designed spaces and their influence on behaviour, emotions and ultimately, the quality of work we produce.

What drives my passion? We spend so much of our waking lives at work – in an office or somewhere similar. There’s something pretty special in how it feels to be a part of a team committed to creating and delivering the client’s vision. Seeing people’s reactions on that first day of occupation and how the space impacts them. Knowing that this is their space and the product of our collective efforts in listening, thinking and finding a creative solution for the business and its people.

The 2025 International Women’s Day theme is “Accelerate Action”—a call to urgently address systemic barriers to gender equality. In your experience, what are the most pressing challenges women face in the commercial interiors sector, and how do you think these can be addressed faster?

There is still a way to go when positioning positive, healthy role models for women and it can feel at times like hard work.

A real seat at the table – there by merit!

We need greater representation at senior leadership level and in boardrooms where key decisions are being made. Women make up over 50% of the population and need to have their values and opinions heard. These positions should be based on merit and cognisant of unconscious bias.

True progress in equality and equity requires allyship across all groups – men must be a part of the solution, actively pushing the agenda alongside us! There are businesses making active efforts to drive this change.

Encouraging open dialogue

For many women, I believe the fear of speaking up remains a challenge. The worry of being dismissed or ridiculed can hold people back from sharing ideas. We need to create environments where everyone feels safe contributing without second-guessing whether they have the “right” answer.

I’ve always believed that there is no such thing as a bad idea – every idea has the potential to inspire the next one. Is the boardroom ready to embrace this mindset?

Cultural rebalance  

We also need to reassess our industry’s culture. Historically socialising and community-building often revolved around drinking – perhaps a legacy of the hedonistic ‘80s or the ladette years? But this culture hasn’t always been inclusive, particularly for those balancing career progression with having a family.

We now have a workforce and coming generations who are far more health conscious and re-writing the rules of how we network, build our community and create support groups.

As our knowledge around difference expands, we must acknowledge the complexities of intersectionality. The traditional paths of progression were based on societal norms from 30-40 years ago – it’s time to reimagine them.

Supporting organisations that uplift women is a cornerstone of this year’s campaign. Are there any groups, initiatives, or movements within the commercial interiors industry—or beyond—that you actively support or draw inspiration from? How can individuals and businesses in this sector help accelerate their impact?

I have been an active member of Crew UK and WoD (Women in office design) for nearly five years. Other initiatives I’m looking into include EPOC (Empowering People of Colour), 50/50 Women on Boards, Real Estate Balance and The Land Collective.

To help accelerate impact, we need to actively support and promote these initiatives – particularly at leadership level. When leaders champion these efforts, it creates safer spaces for others to share their perspectives and experiences. This provides positive role models to women at all levels, empowering them to aim higher with confidence.  

Which other inspirational women are disrupting the commercial interiors sector or related fields right now, and what impact do you think their work will have on the future of the industry—or society as a whole?

I’m fortunate to be living in the legacy of some incredibly inspirational women who paved the way for us to have the voice we have today. The stats you share are somewhat disheartening on first review, but we know change is afoot and we know that change takes time.

I am surrounded by some incredible contemporaries who have grown up around me and are of a similar generation. These are talented women that are both incredible designers and passionate advocates of equality, diversity and inclusion. We are surrounded by inspiring role models for future generations.

I look around in London and the world of commercial design is a beautiful sprinkle of talented designers and architects with deep rooted passions and drive to help leave the world a better place and those women I salute! Some I work with, whilst others work for competitors – but that doesn’t take away their inspirational sheen.

In terms of the public eye, I would also say:

• Zaha Hadid for always pushing against what she was told was impossible.
• Patricia Urquiola for making beautiful design to make money unapologetically.
• Iris Apfel and Vivienne Westwood for using their position and fame to challenge the status quo and redress the norms and conventions of 40 years ago with vigour.

One of the IWD principles emphasises understanding what works and doing more of it. What strategies, tools, or practices within the commercial interiors sector have you seen that are effectively advancing women in leadership, design, or business? How can these be scaled to make a broader impact?

Allyship between genders. Feeling supported and having opportunities opened for you. Reflecting on this question, I realise that almost all my opportunities have come through men who have seen potential in me and helped create that opportunity – that said they have traditionally had greater access to those opportunities.

However, what this truly translates to is sponsorship. Seeing someone’s potential and actively assisting with opening opportunities. This is, I believe essential for everyone’s progression.

With having more diversity and indeed women in positions of power and influence, I am hopeful this will re-balance, leading to greater sponsorship and support rather than unhealthy competition or exclusion.

Building true alliances also means stepping outside our comfort zones and engaging with diverse social and professional networks — including those traditionally dominated by men. Creating real change requires openness, dialogue and a willingness to bridge gaps.

There also needs to be greater transparency for example around renumeration and progression – and a willingness to help. We need to broaden roundtables and internal networks to foster open communication but also collaborate beyond our own organisations. By sharing ideas and initiatives with our competitors; we can collectively raise industry standards.

What advice would you give to young women looking to make their mark in the commercial interiors sector? How can they contribute to the global effort to accelerate action for gender equality?

Be comfortable with being uncomfortable and build your tribe carefully, avoid feeling isolated but be mindful who your allies are.

Resilience is key. Don’t take no for an answer. Find another way and don’t give up if it is really what you want.

It’s hard to keep lifting yourself, but you must. Remember your own kindness even when others aren’t. Unfortunately, there will always be people who won’t want to support you.

Back up your arguments with facts and evidence when you can.

Own your passion!

At the current rate of progress, full gender equality won’t be achieved until 2158. If you could accelerate one key change within the commercial interiors sector that would have the greatest impact on closing the gender gap sooner, what would it be? 

I believe wholly in the benefits of balance and diversity with patience, establishing leadership teams and boards with a diverse split across gender, race, ability, socio economic fractions – embrace differences.

This will foster diverse conversations and communication. Encourage ideation and know not all ideas are right first time. Learn to really listen and not always be too busy.  

I’d also advocate better education initiatives. Careers in Real Estate aren’t always seen as aspirational these days and there’s a lack of awareness around the opportunities and career paths available. This needs to change and investment is crucial to address a looming skills shortage. There is an opportunity to elevate women into roles that have traditionally been overlooked or considered outside their reach.

Finally, what message would you like to share with the global community this International Women’s Day to inspire collective action toward gender equality? 

Change is a slow road and as much as I am always in a rush, the little things DO count and DO make a difference. Take comfort in knowing you sit alongside great women and hold your conviction. Be proud to believe, to want and to stand firm.  

I have always believed this – listen to your inner voice and once you have clarity on what you really want, visualise it and focus on it in your mind. Believe what you want is achievable and don’t be afraid to change course or ask for help to get where you want to go. This journey is not a straight line, but it does require determination and resilience!