Experience, Creativity & Trust

Our leadership team and ever-growing Collective model is built on trust, experience, and a shared belief in doing things well. Led by Steve Thorne, with senior input from Sean Rafter, we combine creative depth with commercial clarity, offering clients thoughtful, execution-ready solutions grounded in real-world understanding.

We’re a niche, focused group with wide-ranging backgrounds in hospitality, development, brand, and strategy. What unites us is a commitment to delivering standout results - not just ideas, but outcomes. That means every perspective is valued, every angle considered, and every detail carefully shaped.

We work transparently, collaborate openly, and take pride in our ability to think clearly in complex spaces. It’s how we like to work, with each other, our clients and partners.

Read more about our founder partners below.

  • Steve Thorne

    FOUNDER

    With over 30 years' experience across every layer of hospitality - from boutique independents to international brands - Steve has worked with leading operators including InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, The Ascott Limited (incorporating the Ascott, Somerset and Citadines brands) and The Zetter Group, as well as independent operators of hotels, serviced apartments, and luxury rentals.

    Known for aligning vision with delivery, he understands how design, service, and systems must connect to drive real results. His approach blends empathy with commercial intelligence, creating experiences that succeed because they are built on operational logic, service culture, and strategic foresight.

    This philosophy shines through in his own rental business, which was recognised in 2025 by LUXLife Magazine with two accolades: Most Charming Country Retreat – Italy and Customer Service Excellence Award.

    Key Areas:

    • Hospitality strategy and operations

    • Brand development and positioning

    • Commercial strategy and revenue optimisation

    • Market analysis and feasibility

  • Sean Rafter

    COMMERCIAL

    After transitioning from a professional sporting career, Sean built an entrepreneurial path spanning more than three decades across property, investment and design-led development.

    He has established a strong reputation across West London for identifying underperforming assets and transforming them through creativity, precision and commercial discipline.

    His network spans sport, finance and real estate – giving Thorne&Co direct access to high-level investor groups and capital partners.

    Sean's strength lies in connecting opportunity with outcome: structuring ventures, aligning stakeholders, and ensuring every project is driven by both design intent and financial clarity.

    At Thorne&Co, he leads on commercial strategy, development and investor relations – combining entrepreneurial vision with strategic rigour to deliver lasting value.

    Key Areas:

    • Investment and asset sourcing

    • Investor relations and capital partnerships

    • Property development and repositioning

    • Venture structuring and stakeholder alignment

  • Stephen Taylor

    CREATIVE

    Stephen Taylor brings over three decades of experience in design, branding and creative strategy – working at the intersection of culture, commerce and hospitality.

    At several leading London agencies, he helped shape brands such as Asprey, Phaidon, European Bank and Inchbald School of Design, earning both a D&AD Silver Award and the Consort Royal Graphic Design & Print Gold Award.

    Since founding Heat Design in 1999, Stephen has led projects for Swarovski, Pearson, Rothschild & Co, David Lloyd, Travelodge and Yacht Masters – bringing design and strategy together with clarity and intent.

    At Thorne&Co, he brings this breadth of experience to hospitality – helping shape brands that perform commercially, resonate emotionally and stand the test of time.

    Key Areas:

    • Brand identity and creative strategy

    • Design direction and visual systems

    • Brand storytelling and positioning

    • Creative execution across hospitality environments