Jonny Horsfield

Jonny Horsfield | Founder of H2 Yacht Design

Origins

Jonny established H2 during a period when the superyacht refit market was booming but lacked dedicated design expertise. Rather than chasing new builds from the start, he focused H2 exclusively on refit projects — a decision that gave the studio an unusually broad foundation. Working across different design styles, strict timeframes, and varying budgets, H2 built an enviable reputation as the yacht community's refit design experts.

That grounding in refits shaped everything that followed. Where other studios develop a signature aesthetic and repeat it, Jonny's team learned to listen first and design second — adapting to each client's taste rather than imposing their own.

Design Philosophy

H2's portfolio is deliberately diverse. Jonny has always resisted the temptation to develop a recognisable "H2 look," believing that true bespoke design means the client's personality should be visible in every space — not the designer's.

This approach demands a particular kind of discipline. Every project begins with an intensive consultation to understand the owner's preferred style, followed by sketches, material selections, and photo-realistic 3D renders before any construction begins. The result is interiors that feel genuinely personal rather than generically luxurious.

Career Highlights

Over three decades, Jonny has led H2 through hundreds of projects spanning the full size range of superyachts — from 30-metre refits to 100-metre-plus new builds. The studio's work encompasses:

Complete interior design — from concept through to onsite supervision at the shipyard

Exterior design — hull and superstructure styling for new builds

Bespoke furniture design — custom freestanding pieces built by specialist craftsmen

Refit transformations — reconfiguring and restyling existing yachts for new owners

H2 works with leading shipyards worldwide, and the studio's ability to operate across styles — from contemporary minimalism to classical elegance — means they're as comfortable designing for a 35-year-old tech founder as for a traditional owner on their fifth yacht.

Leadership Style

Jonny leads H2 with a hands-on approach that reflects his craft-first values. He remains deeply involved in the design process, insisting on personally approving subcontractor drawings and maintaining close relationships with shipyards throughout every build.

His team in London combines interior designers, 3D visualisers, and project managers — a compact studio structure that keeps decision-making fast and ensures continuity from first sketch to final handover.

Legacy

After 30 years, H2 remains independently owned and creatively driven — a rarity in a market where many design studios have been absorbed into larger groups. Jonny's insistence on serving the client rather than building a brand has, paradoxically, become the brand itself: a studio known for listening, adapting, and delivering interiors that feel like home rather than showrooms.