Amanda Nevill CBE has been CEO of the BFI for over 16 years, appointed by the then Chair Anthony Minghella in 2003. The BFI is the UK’s lead organisation for film, television and the moving image. It is a cultural charity that; curates and presents the greatest international public programme of World Cinema for audiences – in cinemas, at festivals and online; cares for the BFI National Archive – the most significant film and television archive in the world; actively seeks out and supports the next generation of filmmakers; and works with Government and Industry to make the UK the most creatively exciting and prosperous place to make film internationally.

The first female CEO of the BFI in its 86 year history, Amanda has led its transformation into a culturally influential organisation across the globe, and the lead organisation for UK film.

Before joining the BFI, Amanda was one of the Directors of The National Museums of Science and Industry under Sir Neil Cossons, and Head of the National Museum of Photography, Film and TV (NMPFT) in Bradford for nine years during which time it was re-built and became the most visited museum outside London.

Sebastian Cox is a furniture designer, maker and environmentalist based in south London. Sebastian founded his workshop and design studio in 2010 on the principle that the past can be used to design and make the future.He produces his own collections of furniture, lighting and home accessories and collaborates with other material experts, brands, interior designers, manufacturers and retailers who share his vision for a better, more engaged,material future.His work has received a Design Guild Mark alongside other accolades from design publications including Elle Decoration, Homes &Gardens, EKKB, The London Evening Standard and Forbes.

For over 25 years the American Hardwood Export Council (AHEC) has been at the forefront of international wood promotion, successfully building a distinctive and creative brand for U.S. hardwoods. AHEC’s global programme of activities secure a future for American hardwoods by demonstrating the performance and aesthetic potential of these sustainable materials, while providing valuable creative inspiration and technical advice.

Find out more about AHEC

Benchmark is a leading company of craftspeople and designers, founded 30 years ago by Sir Terence Conran and Sean Sutcliffe. Based in West Berkshire on a converted farm, the team is now 50 strong in over 40,000 sq ft of workshops for timber milling, carpentry, veneering, spraying, specialist metalworking and upholstery, as well as design studio and furniture showroom. Benchmark works extensively on design solutions for hotels, restaurants, public buildings, offices and private residences.

benchmarkfurniture.com

The London Design Festival is a key constituent of London’s autumn creative season, alongside London Fashion Week, Frieze Art Fair and the London Film Festival. Established in 2003 its role is to celebrate and promote London as the world’s design capital and gateway to the international design community and it has now established a reputation as one of the largest and most exciting design events in the world. This year the Festival will run from 15-23 September and over 400 events and installations will be on offer across the capital, from an exciting programme at the V&A to plus over 300 partners who will participate in the nine-day Festival.

www.londondesignfestival.com

The Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) is the world’s leading museum of art and design, housing a permanent collection of over 2.3 million objects that span over 5,000 years of human creativity. The Museum holds many of the UK's national collections and houses some of the greatest resources for the study of architecture, furniture, fashion, textiles, photography, sculpture, painting, jewellery, glass, ceramics, book arts, Asian art and design, theatre and performance. 

www.vam.ac.uk