Paul Mason is a writer, broadcaster and film-maker covering areas of economics, globalisation and the future of capitalism. Formerly Channel 4 News’ Economics Editor covering all aspects of the UK and global economy, markets, labour and commerce, he previously served in the same role for BBC2’s Newsnight.

Paul will be focusing on the economic trends that will have a profound effect on the recovery and our places. Paul will also look at the social, cultural and business impacts which COVID has accelerated with an eye on political developments too.

Before his economics brief, Paul was Channel 4’s Culture and Digital Editor, examining the business impact of the new age of digital and online. Prior to joining Channel 4 he was Newsnight’s Economics Editor after several years their Business & Industry Correspondent. He summed up his own agenda as ‘profit, people and planet.’ Paul’s analysis of economic trends and political developments is always accessible to a wide audience, without ‘dumbing down’ or patronising.

Now free of the constraints of broadcast journalism, Paul takes a critical look at business and capitalism. He considers the impact and democratising power of technology and how this could affect the existing political and commercial elites.

Will has been Project Manager at New West End Company for 2 years working within the placemaking team to support over 600 businesses across London’s Oxford Street, Bond Street, Regent Street & Mayfair with an annual turnover of £10 billion per annum. At New West End Company, Will is integral to delivering a number of key projects, including the annual Christmas lights displays, implementing district-wide WiFi and being a key liaison point between member businesses and Westminster City Council. Will currently is leading New West End Company’s sustainability strategy, working with our key partners to deliver a Zero Emission Transport Zone for the West End by 2025.

At the Conference, Will will present an overview of New West End Company’s ongoing work to develop its sustainability framework and action plan for the West End International Centre. Having completed a full audit of West End businesses this year, New West End Company is using the results to identify key issues and priorities to ensure that London’s West End plays its part in addressing climate change. Will will further explore the challenges specific to BIDs in establishing their role in the response to the climate emergency – both in terms of supporting members to achieve their own targets as well as operating in a convening role to develop shared district-wide goals.

Livia is currently Director of Public Realm at Hammersmith BID, where she chairs the Hammersmith Transport & Environment Forum and other regular forums for the local business community and stakeholders including the Greater London Authority, Transport for London and Hammersmith & Fulham Council. Livia’s work centres on public realm and sustainability projects, such as the Public Realm Vision, Business Low Emissions Neighbourhood, and the zero-emissions delivery service, Parcels not Pollution.

The Hammersmith BID was successfully renewed for a fourth term in March 2021. Central to their delivery promises is a focus on sustainability and green investment. The BID’s Public Realm Director Livia Caruso is responsible for ensuring the pledges are delivered and she will talk through the BID’s Public Realm Vision, which they are working on with world-renowned architects, Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. The Vision intends to transform Hammersmith into one of the greenest town centres in the country by creating a more connected space that champions sustainability, inclusivity, and local identity.

Having worked in the music industry from an early age as an A&R scout for Universal Island Records, Oliver Wayman was responsible for identifying and nurturing raw talent. He then expanded his remit into the fashion sphere. Discovering a metal 'fabric' that was created from up-cycled ring pulls woven together in Brazil to make artisanal fashion accessories, he immediately recognised the wider potential of the raw material and devised a training program supporting local women in Salvador, Brazil.

Oliver Co-Founded BOTTLETOP, the premium ethical fashion company with Cameron Saul in 2002, with the goal of using sustainable luxury design to alleviate poverty by empowering artisans. Oliver's strategic approach to development led to the creation of the BOTTLETOP Atelier, which has supported the development of BOTTLETOP's signature materials and production techniques. Oliver spoke about his work with BOTTLETOP and the pioneering development of Amazon Zero Deforestation leather at the COP 21 talks in Paris alongside Ban Ki Moon and John Kerry. He recently devised the world's first 3D printed store made from recycled plastic, BOTTLETOP’s premier retail space, on London's iconic Regent Street.

Wayman launched non-profit campaign #TOGETHERBAND in 2019 with Cameron Saul, as a means to humanise the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals using creativity and culture. In October 2021, as part of #TOGETHERBAND, Wayman is launching CLEAN POWER, a campaign encouraging the public to switch to renewable energy. The campaign will feature a travelling aerial flag installation that actively purifies the air, which will launch in Glasgow ahead of COP26 and travel to cities across the UK before arriving in London in Spring 2022.

At the conference, Oliver Wayman will be talking about his forthcoming CLEAN POWER campaign. This touring nationwide art display designed by British graphic artist Morag Myerscough is driving action to support the global drive to bring carbon dioxide emissions to net zero by 2050 and give planet earth the best possible chance of limiting the global temperature rise to 1.5 °C. The campaign aims to raise critical awareness of the fossil fuels crisis and empower people to take action by switching to clean energy.

Zoe has built an 18-year career out of being passionate about commercial spaces and how people engage with them. In her role at Spaces to Places, she works with investors, landlords, franchisees, and operators in the flexible office space. Her approach is built on the concept of marketing intelligence – driving value through research-led market insights that make a difference. She has taken on diverse projects with Spaces to Places so far, from advising investors on the administration of The Clubhouse London to carrying out a full rebrand for Worting House in Basingstoke.

Zoe has spearheaded marketing for the first UK BID, managed a retail property portfolio for Landsec, and ran property marketing campaigns across three continents as Marketing Director at JLL.

At the conference, Zoe will be speaking about the office-ization of the high street. M&S, John Lewis, Westfield, Selfridges have submitted plans to repurpose store space into co-working office space, perhaps signalling the start of a larger shift in the way we use what has historically been considered prime retail space. Will this trend continue, and can we expect to see more flexible office spaces mixed with retail units in a town near us soon?

Kate is the co-founder of a global creative consultancy with a simple agenda - to design for better. We specialise in brand identity and experience design and future forecasting. Before co-founding The Future Collective, Kate worked as Strategic Director for over 20 years, translating consumer insights and design trends into a creative strategy that truly resonates. Over the years she’s worked across every continent and all market sectors - from food to fashion and mass to premium - collaborating with some of the most renowned and progressive brands and retailers in the world.

As the retail landscape continues to evolve, our high streets and shopping malls are changing and adapting to meet a whole host of new unmet consumer needs. At the conference, Kate will take a tour of some of the most inspirational examples of repurposed and regenerative retail from around the globe. Exploring how brands and retailers of every size and scale are breathing new life into old buildings and creating places and spaces that have local relevance and longevity.

Matt is the co-founder of a global creative consultancy with a simple agenda - to design for better.

Prior to founding The Future Collective, Matt had a 25 year career spanning multiple positions in many of the UKs largest retailers, including Next, George at Asda and Debenhams. Matt has led strategic activity across global supply chain programmes and fashion retail transformation. Matt has a passion for pushing the boundaries of change and encouraging brands to do the right thing sustainably and make bold moves into the future of retail. 

Ruth’s career in regeneration spans more than 30 years, from working with some of the most deprived communities in the country while in local government to shaping major redevelopment schemes across Central London. The Primera Group manages a number of BIDs in and around Central London.

At the conference Ruth Duston will be talking about the development and goals of the Eastern City Partnership, the emerging city BID.