Meet our Founder & Director Jose!

Phot Credit: Ahmani Vidal

Meet our Founder & Director Jose, whose vision and creativity lie at the heart of the Auric.. With a background shaped by a lifelong love of design, José brings a thoughtful, people-focused approach to every project.

"From as far back as I can remember, I’ve been happiest when creating. As a child, I could lose hours painting, cutting, sticking and making things, completely absorbed in the process. Arts and crafts weren’t just hobbies; they were outlets that gave me fulfilment and joy. Looking back, those moments weren’t just childhood pastimes, they laid the foundations for a lifelong pull towards creativity.

At school, it was always the creative subjects that stood out to me. Art and media studies were firm favourites, and I relished every opportunity to explore visual storytelling and design. My A-level projects often saw me producing graphic layouts and experimenting with magazine formats. It was no surprise, then, that I chose to pursue a degree in TV and Film Production at university. This was another way to channel my creative instincts, and it offered a wide breadth of experiences — from camera work to editing, and set design which I particularly loved. The idea of shaping a space to tell a story resonated deeply with me, and it’s clear now that those seeds of interior design were already being sown.

After graduation, I dipped my toe into the television industry, working on Saturday morning shows and helping prepare sets. While these opportunities were exciting, they were sporadic, and I soon realised that this wasn’t a sustainable full-time path. Looking for stability, I took what I thought would be a temporary role with the probation service. What was meant to be a short-term step turned into a 16-year career.

During that time, I worked in a variety of roles — supporting people struggling with addiction, running group programmes, and later managing volunteers across the service. My final role included establishing a volunteer scheme, and the organisation funded my project management qualification. Those years were transformative in their own way. They taught me how to listen, how to communicate with people from all walks of life, and how to stay calm under pressure. The work was challenging but rewarding, and it gave me insights into resilience, empathy and leadership.

Yet, despite everything I learned and gained from that career, something always felt slightly off-course. I knew I was capable, but I didn’t feel fulfilled. I often found myself returning to creative outlets outside of work. I painted in my spare time, experimented with mosaics, and even took on larger projects — including designing and creating a memorial mosaic to mark the centenary of the First World War. This piece is still displayed in the Age Uk Community Garden in Swinton.

In 2019, with my children older and a milestone birthday on the horizon, I decided it was time to take a leap. I left the probation service and set up my own business in interiors. At first, I named it Jose Kennedy Interiors, a straightforward choice to get things moving. The early years were intense. I worked evenings and weekends, driven by determination and excitement. Slowly but surely, the business gathered momentum. As demand grew, it became clear that I needed support, and I began to build a small team. With that growth came the opportunity to reflect on what I wanted the business to stand for. That was when the rebrand to Auric Interior Design took place.

Choosing the name “Auric” felt instinctive. I wanted a word that was positive, strong and timeless. “Auric,” meaning gold, carried those connotations of value and longevity. I also loved the rounded forms of the letters, which lent themselves naturally to a modern, elegant logo. The name felt right, a reflection of both the creative beauty we aim for and the professionalism behind every project.

Running a business has demanded far more than creativity alone. My time in project management, as well as my experience supporting another family business, gave me a foundation in the practicalities: finance, margins, processes, and the discipline to reinvest in growth. I’ve learned to balance the visionary side of design with the pragmatic demands of business. In truth, that balance is what excites me most — the opportunity to create something beautiful while also ensuring that every detail is delivered seamlessly.

Fast forward to today, and Auric has grown into a close-knit team with a studio in Wilmslow. We may be small, but we are mighty, with a clear ethos: to put our clients at the centre of everything we do. Each team member brings a unique skill set, and together we collaborate to ensure every project runs smoothly and every client feels supported. Whether it’s a full home renovation or a single bespoke space, our goal is always the same: to create interiors that are personal, considered and deeply connected to the people who live and work in them.

Outside of work, life remains grounded in the things that make me happiest: time with my family and friends, being outdoors, playing tennis, travelling, dancing, and sharing food and laughter. These are the experiences that remind me why creating meaningful spaces matters so much.

Looking back, my career path might seem unconventional — from set design to probation service, mosaics to interiors. But every step has added to the skills and perspective I bring to Auric today. Creativity, empathy, organisation, and determination: each has played a role in shaping the business.

Looking forward, I feel excited for what’s to come. 2025 already marks a significant milestone, with the opening of our Wilmslow studio, a tangible sign of how far we’ve come. As we continue to grow, my vision remains the same: to collaborate, to care, and to create. With every project, we aim to deliver interiors that are not only beautiful but add value to people's lives."