Annette Mees - Artistic Director, Audience Labs

Annette Mees is an award-winning theatre director and artistic director known for her innovative, experiential work that allows audiences to immerse themselves in new possibilities and big ideas.

She is the Artistic Director of Audience Labs; a hub for imagination exploring new forms of theatre and technology to dream up cultural futures. We bring together interdisciplinary teams to create artistic work that defies definitions, undertake interdisciplinary R&D and spark new thinking. We believe in the power of imagination, stories and culture to help us find a language for transformative futures in which communities across the globe and the planet itself can be healthy, happy and thrive.

Audience Labs started at the Royal Opera House but now works for and with different organisations at the intersection of culture, innovation and social change. Most recently it has been housed at King’s College London where we worked with AHRC to explore the underlying questions emerging around these new forms. We are hosting conversations between leaders from culture, innovation, technology, gaming, social innovation and beyond to explore pathways towards an innovative, ethical and impactful future of the UK’s creative industries.

Next to that Annette Mees works as an innovation strategist, artistic advisor and dramaturg for a range of organisations and projects at the intersection of performance and innovation. Currently she is the chair of FutureEverything, a co-host of global conversation on The Future of Culture supported by Arup and Therme, an artist mentor for CPH:DOX, directing David Finnigan’s “You're Safe Till 2024” and developing a strategic R&D project on the future of hybrid cultural venues with Substrakt.

Previously she was a Creative Fellow for WIRED and The Space, Guest-Artistic Director of the Danish Inspiration Lab. She started her career as one of the co-Artistic Directors of Coney - an internationally renowned immersive theatre company. She was awarded the “Theatre Encouragement Award” by the Writers Guild of Great Britain for her collaborative approach to working with writers.

HAM the Illustrator - Multi-Award-Winning Designer, Strategist and Visual Storyteller

Design isn’t just decoration. Its story, craft, and culture rolled into one. I help brands turn ideas into powerful campaigns, visuals, and experiences that resonate - not just sell.

Recognised with the Immersive Opera Award, the British Council’s New Narrative Award, and named to the BIMA100 as one of the UK’s top creatives and designers – HAM has spent over a decade helping world-leading brands, artists, and institutions stand out through innovative creative direction, illustration, and design.

Recently appointed as the Creative Director & Curatorial Research Fellow for the Anti-Apartheid Legacy: Centre of Memory & Learning, based at the historic 28 Penton Street (the former secret London HQ of the ANC in exile). The AALC is the first of its kind in Europe. As Creative Director and CRF, HAM is leading the delivery of their community research programme and historic landmark mural project connecting the struggle’s legacy with global solidarity, culture and lessons for the future.

From sold-out merch drops and Web3 activations to community murals and world-first immersive projects in AR and VR tackling climate justice and social equity, HAM has delivered campaigns and creative strategies for 100+ clients including Nike, Adidas, MTV, Wingstop, M&C Saatchi, Canva, Sony Music, Superteam UK, and the Royal Opera House.

They say you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. But if your brand were just another book in a crowded bookstore – HAM is the guy who makes sure it’s the one they pick first.

Jide Adetunji - Co-Founder & Chief Marketing Officer, GUAP

Co-founder and Chief Marketing Officer of GUAP, digital media platform dedicated to discovering, documenting and nurturing emerging creatives.