8 March 2019

Women of Battersea Power Station 2019

Happy International Women’s Day from Battersea Power Station. This year we’re proud to celebrate by highlighting just some of the amazing women who have helped us open and shape our thriving riverside neighbourhood – the first chapter of the Power Station’s regeneration. 
 
These women have achieved so much and provided inspiration for men and women in their own fields and beyond.  We’re delighted to share their stories. 
 
 
Monika Linton – Tapas Brindisa

Monika Linton is the founder and owner of Brindisa, the authentic Spanish food company and restaurant group. Tapas Brindisa Battersea Power Station is her fourth restaurant opening in London and her company has recently celebrated its 30th anniversary.
After she completed her degree she went and lived in Spain for three years and soon became intrigued with the way they utilised ingredients such as pulses and lentils, and just how much the Spanish enjoyed sharing large communal dishes. She immediately wanted to bring both these ingredients and style of food back to the UK and change the way people thought about Spanish food in the 1980s.  
In 2004 an unexpected opportunity presented itself to Monika, to take a corner site at Borough Market (an old potato factory), and it was here she created London’s first no reservations, traditional tapas bar. Monika continues to travel to Spain to bring new ingredients and recipes to the tables of peoples’ homes and to her restaurants. 
 
 
Hilary Rowland – Boom Cycle
Hilary Rowland is Creative Director and co-founder of Boom Cycle, whose flagship studio is located at Battersea Power Station’s Circus West Village. Boom, which started trading in 2011, was the original high-energy cycle spinning class in London and it now has four studios with more on the way.
Before co-founding Boom Cycle, Hilary was a fashion model. She comes from the USA and started modelling at 15. She moved to New York City to model professionally when she was 21, only months after 9/11, and soon was travelling and working all around the world. She moved again to London in 2004, and had the idea for Boom Cycle soon after as she noticed the absence of boutique spin classes in the city. 
A few years later Hilary met her husband and business partner Robert, and the two founded Boom Cycle together. Alongside being Creative Director, Hilary personally leads rides each week at Boom studios. She and Robert live at Circus West, and were among the first 100 “pioneers” to move in. 
 
Mel Marriott – No.29 Power Station West
Mel Marriott has had a career in hospitality spanning over twenty years, working on large brands – including All Bar One for Mitchells and Butlers – as well as smaller independent projects both in London and overseas. She founded Darwin and Wallace in 2012 with the support of The Imbiba Partnership and is passionate about the importance of great design and its role within her business.
Since launch less than seven years ago the independent bar group has grown to include No 11 Pimlico Road, No 32 The Old Town, No 1a Duke Street, No 197 Chiswick Fire Station, No17 Dickens Yard, 601 Queen’s Road and No 29 Power Station West. Mel’s vision has been to create a modern interpretation of a 21st century pub, innovative in design, local, independent and indicative of the area, serving drinks and seasonal food all day.
“We are redefining a formulaic Gastro Pub model with a modern, all day, creatively designed interpretation of what a pub should be,” says Mel. “Our mantra is to look beyond the obvious, work harder than the rest, surround yourself with things you love.”
 
Morag Myerscough – Artist behind our Grosvenor Arch POWER artwork
Morag’s mantra is “make happy those who are near and those who are far will come”. London born and bred, Morag has always lived in the city and has been fascinated by the way in which colour and pattern can change urban environments and people’s perceptions of spaces into places. From schools and hospitals to cultural hubs and town centres Morag transforms public spaces by creating engaging experiences for everyone. At Battersea Power Station she created “Power”, the visually arresting artwork incorporating Grosvenor Arch – the riverside entrance to Circus West Village.
Morag is obsessed with “Belonging” and talks around the world about it: her last stop was Design Indaba, Cape Town where she spoke to 1500 in the audience and 3000 people online. Her contribution to educational environments was recognised in 2015, when her work with Allford Hall Monaghan Morris on Burntwood School won the Stirling Prize for Architecture. Morag was made a Royal Designer for Industry (RDI) by the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in 2017, a widely recognised award that celebrated her work for providing “significant benefit to society”.