Unlock The Future Conference 2025
Unlock The Future Conference 2025
The Morning Speakers
Sir Stuart Lipton – Lipton Rogers Developments LLP
Sir Stuart Lipton co-founder of Stanhope and Lipton Rogers and business partner to Peter Rogers for over thirty-five years, is a prominent British property developer, known for his transformative influence on London’s architectural landscape and his commitment to improving urban environments. His contributions to architecture, urban planning, and the arts have been recognised with several honorary titles and awards, including a knighthood in 2000 for services to the Property Industry and to the Environment.
Stuart’s career has been defined by his innovative approach to property development, characterised by collaborations with leading architects to add commercial value and rejuvenate and repurpose neglected urban spaces into vibrant, mixed-use developments. His collaborative approach has resulted in consent for all planning applications over the last 40 years and he has developed over 30 million sq ft of space in London.
Stuart’s academic experience as a Trustee includes 13 years at Imperial College, and 6 years at LSE as well as a Trustee of the National Theatre, Royal Opera House, and roles in other arts organisations including National Gallery, Tate, Royal Academy, Glyndebourne, Millenium Bridge and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and the Royal Fine Art Commission.
Stuart’s career has been defined by his innovative approach to property development, characterised by collaborations with leading architects to add commercial value and rejuvenate and repurpose neglected urban spaces into vibrant, mixed-use developments. His collaborative approach has resulted in consent for all planning applications over the last 40 years and he has developed over 30 million sq ft of space in London.
Stuart’s academic experience as a Trustee includes 13 years at Imperial College, and 6 years at LSE as well as a Trustee of the National Theatre, Royal Opera House, and roles in other arts organisations including National Gallery, Tate, Royal Academy, Glyndebourne, Millenium Bridge and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and the Royal Fine Art Commission.
Mara Cummings – Warner Bros. Discovery
Mara Cummings is a dynamic leader renowned for her exceptional track record in driving superior work performance through commitment and innovation. With outstanding written and verbal communication skills, she excels at inspiring teams and motivating project members to achieve extraordinary results. Mara’s sophisticated problem-solving abilities, strategic planning expertise, and analytical acumen consistently deliver measurable positive outcomes. She brings extensive experience in business process development, documentation, and re-engineering, making her a valuable asset in transforming organizational operations for success.
Professor Phil Deans PHD
Phil Deans is a seasoned academic leader and governance expert with a distinguished career spanning higher education, international relations, and institutional development. His expertise includes university leadership, management, and the alignment of UK and US higher education systems, with a particular focus on international and overseas campuses. He also specialises in East Asian politics and international relations.
Phil currently serves as Vice Chair of Trustees at Gingerbread, supporting single-parent families across the UK. Additionally, he holds leadership roles in prestigious organisations, including Vice President of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU), Vice Chair of Independent Higher Education, and Member of the Board of Trustees and Senior Independent Director at The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Phil is also a Board Member at Coombe Boys’ School and Sixth Form, contributing to education governance at the community level.
Phil currently serves as Vice Chair of Trustees at Gingerbread, supporting single-parent families across the UK. Additionally, he holds leadership roles in prestigious organisations, including Vice President of the Association of American International Colleges and Universities (AAICU), Vice Chair of Independent Higher Education, and Member of the Board of Trustees and Senior Independent Director at The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Phil is also a Board Member at Coombe Boys’ School and Sixth Form, contributing to education governance at the community level.