Our Compere
Richard Freeman
Richard Freeman founded Always Possible in 2015 and is a specialist in leadership, the future of work, education, social entrepreneurship and UK towns/city ecosystems.
Always Possible has become a key strategic economic and social innovation agency in Sussex, Essex, Kent, Surrey, London and the West Midlands – leading research projects, programming skills and tech festivals, and advising public and private sector clients on sustainable growth.
With over 20 years experience, Richard works across sectors to humanise complex ideas into impactful projects. His background spans education, government, creative industries and business strategy.
As host of The Brighton Paradox, The Possibility Club and Sussex and The City podcasts, he has interviewed hundreds of leading CEOs, politicians, artists, scientists, activists and academics about the future of our changing social and digital economy.
Richard was a free school meals and widening participation child, raised by a single teenage mum, who was the first in her family to go to college. He lived in eight houses and attended five schools in Dorset, Essex, Cambridge and Brighton before the age of 16. This has led to a life-long interest in social mobility and the mechanics of how UK towns and cities can be flourishing places for everyone that lives and works in them.
The Speakers
Wayne Hemingway MBE
The Power of Place
Wayne Hemingway MBE will introduce “The Power of Place” by exploring how thoughtful, people-focused design can transform towns and cities. Drawing on decades of experience across regeneration, placemaking, place branding and cultural programming, he will show how places can create lasting social and economic impact when co-created by communities and rooted in local identity. Using examples from projects including town centre visioning in Andover, place projects in Margate ,Salford and York and major cultural events such as the National Festival of Making and First Light Festival, Wayne will demonstrate what effective placemaking looks like in practice.
Attendees will gain insight into:
The importance of community-led, authentic placemaking
How place branding, design and activation work together
The role of culture and events in driving footfall and identity
Practical approaches to creating vibrant, resilient places
Our Panel
THE PEOPLE AND PROJECTS DRIVING OUR REGION FORWARD
STEVE SAWYER MANOR ROYAL BID
GERI SILVERSTONE APPG / SILVERSTONE COMMUNICATIONS
BRETT NORTH gdb INVEST IN THE GATWICK DIAMOND
JULIE KAPSALIS MBE Nescot LGW AEZ
BRUCE CALTON UMC ARCHITECTS MICHELLE WALDER BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION FC
The panel will share insights on the strategic projects, partnerships, and community-driven initiatives helping position the Gatwick Diamond as a dynamic and resilient economic hub.
The Speakers
Hayley Peacock
Growing in the Gatwick Diamond
Hayley Peacock, founder of Atelier 21 Future School and Little Barn Owls Forest & Farm School Nurseries, will discuss her experience of building an education-focused business from the ground up, including the challenges and key decisions along the way. Drawing on her development of the Playoneering® approach, she will reflect on how her model has evolved in practice and what has shaped its direction. The session will also consider her reasons for choosing to base and grow her work within the Gatwick Diamond, and how the area has supported her organisation’s development.
The Speakers
Why Devolution Matters More Than Ever
The interim Chief Executive of the Strategic Authority, Mark Rogers, will set out the work undertaken so far and the next steps forward in ensuring Sussex makes its mark amongst England’s mayoralties – even with the absence of a mayor until 2028. He will make the case for developing strong partnerships – including with other devolution areas - to ensure that the Strategic Authority has the kind of support that elsewhere has been critical for impact; and he will make the case both for a strong brand and a clear identity to promote the distinctiveness of Sussex & Brighton at home and abroad.
BRIGHTON & SUSSEX STRATEGIC AUTHORITY
Wilton Park
Trade Stands University of Brighton
Meet our Sponsor
Irwin Mitchell