Design & Architecture speakers

Described as the "peoples' philosopher", Alain has written a panoply of successful books, ranging in topics from love, architecture, travel, literature, and religion. His books have gone on to be best-sellers in 30 different countries. When Alain is not writing, he can be found at 'the School of Life', a book store and workshop dedicated to a new vision of education, which aims to expand on his mantra that our purpose can be found in seeking answers to intellectual questions.

Astro Teller is an entrepreneur, scientist, and author, with expertise in the field of intelligent technology.

UK based Global Futurist and Exponential Thinker Azeem Azhar helps leaders break down the complexity of emerging technologies and understand their impact on economies and society. He is a corporate innovator, serial entrepreneur and technology investor; Founder, Exponential View; Host, “Exponentially” on Bloomberg TV; Visiting Fellow, Oxford Martin School, Oxford University; Co-Chair, Global Futures Council on Complex Risks, World Economic Forum; Award-Winning, Bestselling Author, “The Exponential Age” (2021); Named one of Vox’s 2023 Future Perfect 50 and to the Thinkers50 2022 Radar List.

Charles Spence is an Oxford University Professor who has done a huge amount of research on food and drink and how it affects our cognitive and sensory behaviours. He has also published a number of books and won numerous international awards.

Charlie is passionate about the environment and communicating his enthusiasm for sustainable architecture and design. He has combined his design work with writing and presenting television programmes for the last fifteen years and currently fronts Building the Dream for More4.

Daniel Susskind is Fellow in Economics at Balliol College, Oxford, where he teaches and researches. He worked for the British Government in the Prime Minister’s Strategy Unit, in the Policy Unit in 10 Downing Street, and also as a Senior Policy Adviser at the Cabinet Office. He was a Kennedy Scholar at Harvard University.

David began his career as an architectural psychologist studying the interactions between people and buildings, publishing and providing consultancy on the designs of offices, schools, prisons, housing and other building forms. His work in architecture led to studies of human reactions in fires and other emergencies. David went on to pioneered investigative psychology in Britain, setting up journals and aiding the police in 1985 on the Railway Rapist case. He was the Professor of Psychology at the University of Surrey for ten years, where he developed investigative psychology. David went on to set up the Centre For Investigative Psychology which is based at the University of Liverpool. Since 2009 he has been at the University of Huddersfield and is the founder and director of the International Academy for Investigative Psychology, a professional academy for researchers seeking to apply social science to investigative and legal processes.

David McCandless is a British data-journalist, and information designer based in London. He is the founder of the visual blog Information Is Beautiful.

Jonathan Ball’s story tells of the extraordinary events, which were part of the evolution of the Eden Project and the passion and commitment he has to ensure that no harm can come to this project, which does so much for Cornwall.

Jonathan is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, he writes for the Daily Telegraph, CNN Style and the Architectural Review among other publications and websites.

Kay Alexander MBE was a BBC Midlands news presenter, working as Anchor on the Midlands Today flagship programmes. She is very proud to have been the face of Midlands Today News for 40 years. In 2013, Kay was awarded an MBE for services to broadcasting and charity, and given an Honorary Doctorate by Birmingham University, recognising services to broadcasting. Kay won the Royal Television Society Award in 2003 which marked 30 years in the business. In 2016 she presented a feature film "The Path of Inspiration" premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

Through campaigns such as the Great British Refurb and his regular columns for Grand Designs Magazine and national newspapers Kevin McCloud now champions sustainable development, context, the historic environment and ecological construction.

Mark Champkins, is a product designer and the London Science Museum’s first “Inventor in Residence”.

Former IKEA Creative Director Michael looks at the lessons the furniture giant can teach from embracing creative thinking and simplicity to maintaining a customer focus.

Paola Antonelli's goal is to promote design’s understanding, until its positive influence on the world is universally acknowledged. Her work investigates design’s impact on everyday experience, often including overlooked objects and practices, and combining design, architecture, art, science and technology.

Paula runs a successful flower business which has a reputation for innovative floral designs. She has been described as "the most brilliant florist in London". Paula runs a flower school in London and is the author of numerous best-selling books on the subject.

Rajat Paharia is often referred to as the father of gamification and founded the company Bunchball in 2005.

As the founder & CEO of Trunki, the brand behind the much loved children’s ride-on suitcase, his award winning company has pioneered a whole range of innovative travel gear and is fast becoming recognised as a global brand for families on the go After his famous rejection on BBC’s Dragons Den, Trunki is now widely regarded as ‘the one that got away’, having sold 3.5 million suitcases, exporting to 100 countries and winning over 120 awards. The Den was just one of the many setback’s Rob faced during his inspirational story to success. If you want a Keynote to motivate, inspire and entertain yet give audiences practical advice to empower, ask for the Trunki Daddy.

Being the founder of YO!, Simon Woodroffe's business ventured spans to include: the hugely successful lifestyle brand and restaurant YO! Sushi which revolutionized eating-out in London and across the world; and the YOTEL, described as a cross between a Japanese capsule hotel and a first class air cabin. Simon is currently working on developing the YO! Home and the YO! Spa. However, before the launch of his first YO! Sushi restaurant in 1997, Simon had spent 30 years in the entertainment industry, with his production companies staging concerts for the lights of The Moody Blues, George Michael, and Stevie Wonder. In 1999, Simon won the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, and also became a part of the CBI/BCC Ambassador of Entrepreneursism campaign, which he is still a part of.

Sir Richard Needham has spent over 45 years in business and politics. He has unrivaled access at the highest levels into both public and private sectors in Asia, Europe and the US. He was the Minister responsible for redesigning and rebuilding Belfast, and is widely recognized throughout Northern Ireland as the man responsible for turning round and regenerating both the North’s infrastructure and economic base. In his role as Minister of Trade, he overhauled and reinvigorated the whole of Britain’s export strategy. He is accepted in Whitehall as Britain’s most successful Minister of Trade since the War. In recognition of his work in Northern Ireland and at the DTI, he was made a Privy Counselor in 1994 and knighted in 1997.

Timo Kiuru is a true global citizen having worked in cities as diverse as Seoul, Istanbul, San Diego, New York, Miami, Barcelona, Paris, Seattle, Tokyo, Helsinki, Abu Dhabi, London, Kazan, Stockholm, Porto, Toronto, Las Vegas, Tallinn, Moscow and St. Petersburg.

With a career spanning four decades in the design industry, Wayne Hemingway has a fair few stories to tell and lessons to give - and people love to hear them. His talks are insightful, thought-provoking, inspiring, often hilarious and always truthful, warts and all.

Will Butler-Adams joined Brompton Bicycles in 2002, became a director in 2006 and took over as the MD in 2008. Over that period the company has grown from a £2million turnover with 27 staff to one of over £25million turnover with over 240 staff.