‘How can design not only be creatively excellent and meet a client’s commercial objectives, but also enhance our lives and the culture around us, and stand the test of time?’

Since 2005, I have been bringing together leading thinkers from design and business to discuss this question in front of an invited audience.

Speakers have included Sir Christopher Frayling, George Ferguson CBE, Sir Kenneth Grange, Hank Dittmar, Elliot Lipton, David Collins, Simon Gulliford, Martin Lambie-Nairn, Mary Lewis, John McConnell, Professor Jeremy Myerson, Harry Pearce, Deyan Sudjic OBE, Michael Wolff and Ian Skelly.

Meeting of Minds is an annual event and is attended by marketing directors, heads of design and brand directors from the business world and creative directors from the design industry. Each year, it is inspiring and enlightening to hear the different perspectives that are revealed.

The event reflects my passionate conviction that design should contribute towards a harmonious environment and embody the principles inherent in nature.

Meeting of Minds has acted as a catalyst for a number of further initiatives, including Kenneth Grange’s appearance at the 2008 event, which led to a spirited call for ‘action over bad design’ in the pages of Design Week; and an exhibition at the Design Museum titled ‘The Future Is Here’, which explores the links between design and technology.