The judging panel for AHEAD Asia 2026 has been revealed, chaired by HBA Co-CEO, Chris Godfrey.

Together with the APAC region’s leading architects, interior designers and developers from across the hospitality industry, the judges will assess outstanding new hotels, resorts and projects developed in association with hospitality brands.

Entries to AHEAD Asia are now open, with a standard entry deadline of 24 April at 17:00 (BST) and a late entry deadline of 8 May at 17:00 (BST).

Kicking off AHEAD’s 2026 season, AHEAD Asia will announce its winners in a ceremony at Pan Pacific Orchard, Singapore on Friday 11 September 2026.

Chris Godfrey (Chair) | Co-CEO – HBA
Aldwin Ong | SVP – CCD / Cheng Chung Design
Belinda Chia | Senior Director, Interior Design (APEC) – Marriott International
Clint Nagata | Founder & Creative Director – BLINK Design Group
Hayley Mitchell | Co-Founder – Mitchell & Eades
Kesaté B. Tadesse | Managing Director – AvroKo
Lucas Chirnside | Partner & Design Director – BAR Studio
Masayuki Kinoshita | Chief Development Officer – Trunk Hotels
Nilgun Arsankan | EVP, Projects – The Hongkong & Shanghai Hotels
Teresa Chan | VP, Design – Shangri-La Group
Yang Bangsheng | Founder – Yang & Associates

www.aheadawards.com