Midtown’s Big Ideas Exchange: A Must‑See for Thinkers and Dreamers
If you thought London’s creative buzz was all gadgets and theatre, think again! On the night of October 29, the city’s smartest minds will come together for a mind‑expanding series that blends philosophy, business, and a dash of pop culture.
Opening Ceremony: Alain de Botton Takes the Stage
Picture this: a sleek Bloomsbury ballroom, the soft hum of conversations, and the legendary philosopher‑author Alain de Botton ready to crack open the “virtues of modern business.” He’ll unpack the highs and lows of today’s workplace, turning a regular‑day office saga into a philosophical adventure.
- When: 6 pm, October 29, 2014
- Where: Bloomsbury Ballroom
- Tickets: £30 at The School of Life (no fancy link needed here)
It’s the first of twelve landmark events, all designed to bring together a spectrum of Midtown stakeholders—from tech trailblazers and legal eagles to arts and culture aficionados. We’re talking about an entrepreneurial melting pot that’s going to swap insights, stories, and maybe even a few coffee recipes.
The Big Idea Behind the Exchange
Inmidtown, representing over 570 local businesses across Bloomsbury, Holborn, and St Giles, has teamed up with The School of Life to launch this platform. Think of it as a think‑tank with less chalkboard and more spreadsheets. Each session will spark lively debate, encourage cross‑pollination of ideas, and—most importantly—help businesses grow smarter.
What’s on the Calendar?
From November 5, 2014, to February 17, 2015, the next eleven events will fill the public schedule. Highlights include:
- Four dynamic panel discussions featuring Midtown’s most influential leaders
- Meet‑ups for ambitious entrepreneurs to brainstorm and dodge the usual pitfalls
- Open‑air sessions that let the community dig into work‑life balance and corporate responsibility
All tickets for these sessions are free—yes, you read that right! Secure your spot via Inmidtown’s community portal; they’re limited, so the sooner you act, the better.
Why You Should Care
Whether you’re a startup founder feeling stuck, a seasoned executive craving a fresh perspective, or simply a curious Londoner who loves a good intellectual brew, this exchange offers a unique blend of wisdom and practical hacks. Come for the talks, stay for the networking, and leave with a suitcase full of new ideas.
Mark your calendar, grab a ticket, and get ready to mingle with the brightest minds on one of London’s most vibrant streets. Midtown’s Big Ideas Exchange: because great ideas deserve great company.
THE MIDTOWN BIG EXCHANGE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Oct 29, 2014 – Alain de Botton at the Bloomsbury Ballroom
Speaker: Alain de Botton
Topic: “The Virtues of Modern Business”
- Chairperson: Tony Matharu, Managing Director of The Grange Hotel
- Time: 6 – 9 PM
Nov 5, 2014 – Ben Hammersley at Rosewood London
Speaker: Ben Hammersley
Topic: “10 Things You Need to Know About the Future”
- Introduction by Caroline Macleod‑Smith, Yahoo!
- Time: 6:30 – 8 PM
Nov 11, 2014 – Prof. Vincent Walsh at The Cartoon Museum
Speaker: Prof. Vincent Walsh
Topic: “Understanding the Creative Brain”
- Introduction by Anita O’Brien, Director of The Cartoon Museum
- Time: 6:30 – 8 PM
Nov 19, 2014 – Panel Discussion at Farrer & Co
Theme: “Are We All Creative Professionals Now?”
Hosted by artist‑curator Cathy Haynes, this panel brings together five of Midtown’s brightest minds:
- Elliot Moss, Development Director, Mishcon de Reya
- Lucas Diestrick, Commissioning Editor, Thames & Hudson
- Alex McCrindle, Creative Director, Yahoo
- Andrew Jones, Managing Director, AECOM
- Anthony Misquitta, Partner, Farrer & Co
They’ll dissect where creativity fits, why it matters, and how it fuels our work.
Nov 25, 2014 – Panel at Google
Theme: “Can We Achieve a Tech/Life Balance?”
Featuring tech gurus and a comedian:
- David Schneider – comedian extraordinaire
- Tom Chatfield – Google senior executive, digital commentator
- Jasmine Gardener – technology expert
They’ll explore how to enjoy technology without it taking over your life.
Dec 2, 2014 – Philosophy Breakfast at Grange Holborn Hotel Sky Bar
Topic: “Truth, Lies and Business”
Introduction by Tony Matharu, Managing Director, Grange Hotels
- Time: 8 – 10 AM
—CHRISTMAS BREAK—
Jan 14, 2015 – Brennan Jacoby at Grange Holborn Hotel
Speaker: Brennan Jacoby
Topic: “Building Trust”
- Introduction by Tony Matharu
- Time: 6:30 – 8 PM
Jan 21, 2015 – Panel at Mitsubishi Corporation
Theme: “Leadership in Times of Change”
Hosted by psychologist Maurits Kalff:
- Andrew Fraser, Senior Advisor, Mitsubishi Corporation
- Harriet Hindsmarsh, Business Development Director, Aecom
They’ll talk about shifting workforce demographics, compassionate boardrooms, and new leadership models for a changing world.
Jan 29, 2015 – Oliver James at Olswang
Speaker: Oliver James
Topic: “The Joys and Perils of Ambition”
- Introduction by Ffion Griffith, Global Director of Human Resources, Olswang
- Time: 6:30 – 8 PM
Feb 4, 2015 – Panel at AECOM
Theme: “Work: Love It or Hate It?”
Led by writer and broadcaster Gaylene Gould, this panel encourages leaders to explore what makes work truly fulfilling:
- Nicola Gillen, EMEA Practice Lead, AECOM
- Anita O’Brien, Director, The Cartoon Museum
Feb 11, 2015 – Conversation Cocktails at Hoxton Holborn
Theme: “A Happy, Healthy Workplace”
Hosted and located at Hoxton Holborn
- Time: 6:30 – 8 PM
Feb 17, 2015 – Nic Marks at Mishcon de Reya
Speaker: Nic Marks
Topic: “Happiness Works”
- Time: 6:30 – 8 PM
Full roster of participating businesses includes AECOM, Mishcon de Reya, Olswang, Mitsubishi Corporation, Google, Yahoo, The Cartoon Museum, Thames & Hudson, Farrer & Co, Hoxton Holborn, Rosewood London, and the Grange Holborn Hotel.
Tickets for Alain de Botton’s ‘Virtues for modern business’ are available to buy for £30 through The School of Life www.theschooloflife.com
Tickets for the following 11 events are limited, for free and available through www.inmidtown.org/bigideas
What’s All the Fuss About Midtown?
Midtown is the ultimate “middle-of‑town” hotspot, straddling Bloomsbury, Holborn and St Giles right where the City bleeds into the West End’s shopping frenzy. For centuries, it’s been the arena where the sharpest business minds drummed up success and stitched their legacy into the city’s tapestry.
Today’s Midtown: A Melting Pot of Innovation and Culture
- Historical Gems – The British Museum & The Cartoon Museum keep the past alive.
- Tech Titans – From Yahoo! to LinkedIn to Skype and Google, the digital giants roam the streets.
- Old‑Guard Law & Business – Olswang, Mishcon de Reya and Mitsubishi Corporation bring seasoned expertise to the mix.
Whether you’re a history buff, a tech whiz or a legal eagle, Midtown offers a vibrant, open‑minded community that’s as forward‑looking as it is forward‑fun.
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