Sir Terence Conran's Biography

Terence Orby Conran was born on 4 October 1931 in Esher, Surrey, England.

Designer, restaurateur and retailer, Terence Conran came to the public eye during the 1960s where through the Sunday newspaper colour supplements, he spread the word that good design, is good for us.

Terence Conran founded the Habitat chain opening his first store on the Fulham Road in 1964, which was later to become the site of the Conran Shop. By 1973 there were 18 branches throughout the UK and later that year saw the opening of his first overseas branch in France.

During the 1980s Conran formed a joint publishing venture with Octopus Books and Conran/Octopus went on to publish books on interior design, cookery and gardening all of which reflected his beliefs on style and design. As an architectural designer, Conran's company can be credited with two RIBA award-winning buildings in London. Both the Michelin Building and The Design Museum at Butler’s Wharf remain two of the most talked about London sights.

Terence Conran also opened many prestigious restaurants in London including, Bibendum in 1987, Quaglino's in 1993 and Mezzo, reputedly the largest restaurant in Europe, in 1995.

Terence Conran was knighted in 1983.

Sir Terence Conran loved butterflies and the pieces from his Benchmark furniture range were named after them.

He died in September 2020, aged 88.