LIXIL, the parent company of the Grohe and INAX brands, has announced the establishment of LIXIL Public Partnerships (LPP), the company’s first dedicated public sector engagement platform.

LPP will expand collaboration with the public sector for the delivery of household solutions in water, sanitation, and hygiene. These efforts will build on existing initiatives such as LIXIL’s SATO brand of safe, affordable sanitation and hygiene solutions, and work to tackle America’s sanitation challenges.  

Erin McCusker, leader of SATO has been appointed as senior vice president, with concurrent responsibilities to lead the newly founded LPP unit. Erin will be responsible for developing business strategies and operating models designed to serve the mutual interests of global partners and LIXIL by introducing innovative products and solutions for improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene globally. 

Erin McCusker said, ”With our global presence, expertise in delivering consumer-centric solutions, and experience in developing long-lasting partnerships with development agencies and others, we are uniquely positioned to be the preferred partner to the public sector in household water, sanitation, and hygiene.

“Globally, acceleration is needed to achieve targets set by SDG 6 and commitments such as White House Action Plan on Global Water Security towards sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. These goals will only be reached by doing things differently and driving toward more effective collaboration between the public and private sector.”  

Erin McCusker joined LIXIL in 2018, bringing her extensive strategy and public-private partnership expertise. She will concurrently continue her role leading SATO, a social business and sanitation and hygiene solution provider for underserved communities that has improved access to toilets and handwashing for an estimated 35 million users in over 44 countries.¹ Under Erin’s leadership, SATO has shipped over 1 million units for three consecutive years; and most recently she led the strategic engagement with USAID, resulting in LIXIL being awarded approximately $10 million to establish the new Partnership for Better Living.

The House of Rohl – a newly formed family of luxury bathroom and kitchen brands including Victoria + Albert baths, Perrin & Rowe, Shaws of Darwen and Riobel brassware – is presenting a concept bathroom at the WOW!House, a new exhibition at the Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.

The design is conceived by Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead of 2LG Studio, two designers known for their fresh thinking and bold concepts, and now familiar to many through the new Changing Rooms TV series.

The WOW!House exhibition is described by the organisers at the Design Centre as an ‘immersive design experience. Visitors can walk through room after room of imaginative wonder, each space created by one of 20 acclaimed interior designers, working closely with renowned makers and international design houses. A huge 400m2 Showhouse has been specially commissioned for the event, and there will be simply nothing like it in the UK.’

In the spirit of the exhibition, Jordan and Russell have brought in other designers and artists to produce a bathroom that is a true one-off. Central to the design are bathroom fittings from Victoria + Albert, who supplied the bath and basins, and Riobel, who provided the brassware.

House of Rohl

Located in the heart of the city, the full-service lifestyle property will mark the first Hyatt hotel in Scotland and the second Hyatt Centric hotel in the United Kingdom.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced today that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a franchise agreement with Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) for Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket. Slated to open in mid-2025, the 349-room property will mark the first Hyatt hotel in Scotland, signifying a key milestone for Hyatt’s strategic brand growth in the U.K.

Located less than 1,000 feet (300 meters) from the EICC, Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket will be a part of the Haymarket Edinburgh development, which will encompass office blocks and retail units.

In collaboration with Edinburgh College, the EICC development will also include a world-class hospitality training academy for students and trainees focused on a career path in Scotland’s leisure, hospitality, and tourism industry.

The hotel will be situated near some of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle, the National Museum of Scotland, and the Old Town. Those looking to experience the city like a local will be drawn to the St James’ Quarter, New Town, and George Street shopping and cultural districts, all of which will be within walking distance from the hotel. The property will also be conveniently located just six miles (10 kilometres) away from Edinburgh International Airport, which connects travellers directly to more than 150 destinations worldwide.

The new Hyatt Centric hotel will be a highly attractive option for national and international leisure and business travellers, and hospitality training academy students, and will serve as a launchpad for discovering the city’s rich history and culture.

“We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Edinburgh International Conference Center on Hyatt Centric Haymarket Edinburgh, which will mark the Hyatt Centric brand’s entry into one of the world’s most celebrated capital cities,” said Felicity Black-Roberts, Hyatt’s vice president development for Europe and North Africa. “This new-build development demonstrates Hyatt’s commitment to growing its portfolio of lifestyle brands across the U.K, in locations that matter most to our guests, members, customers, and owners.”  

The full-service lifestyle hotel will offer 349 guestrooms, a gym, and four meeting rooms, as well as creative dining experiences that will appeal to guests and locals alike. Visitors will enjoy six different rotating street food brands through its fresh and exciting dining concept, changing regularly to reflect the spirit of Edinburgh’s thriving local culinary scene.

The hotel is being designed as a sustainable and upscale property by Foster + Partners, a world-famous architectural firm founded by Norman Foster, renowned for its holistic approach to sustainability and responsible design. Interiors are being designed by international architecture and design firm Ica, one of the world’s leading, expert-led hotel interior design consultancies, headquartered in Glasgow.

“The Haymarket Edinburgh development is central to the EICC’s future as Scotland’s leading conference venue, and aligns with our mission to create an environment to inspire ideas that change the world,” said Marshall Dallas, Chief Executive of EICC. “Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket will be a cornerstone to attracting local and international travelers and notable luminaries to our venue each year. We are thrilled to work with Hyatt on what will be the first Hyatt hotel in Scotland, and look forward to the meaningful opportunities this property will bring to the city of Edinburgh.” 

Hyatt Centric Edinburgh Haymarket will join 16 Hyatt-branded properties across the U.K. and will mark the second Hyatt Centric hotel in the country, joining Hyatt Centric Cambridge.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation