Join Us for Part 2 of The Shape of Things to Come – London, 25 June

The Shape of Things to Come: Part 2 – London’s Calling 🇬🇧

We kicked off our 10-year anniversary event series with a bang in Nairobi—alongside our brilliant partner, Girl Effect. Huge thanks to everyone who made it an unforgettable start.

10 powerful talks. 21 inspiring speakers. 110+ change-makers in the room. And yes—plenty of delicious food.

Now, we’re turning up the heat for Part 2. Join us in London on 25 June for our flagship event, co-hosted with Charities Aid Foundation. Together, we’ll dive into what the next decade of shaping history could look like—from the future of storytelling to the power of creativity in driving real impact.

Scroll down to see the stellar lineup.

Spots are filling up fast—if you’d like to attend, please get in touch. Just open your message with: ‘The Shape of Things to Come’.

GET IN TOUCH!

(Watch this space for more speaker announcements)

09:00 REGISTRATION, WELCOME COFFEES AND BREAKFAST

10:00 OPENING PLENARY | 10 YEARS OF SHAPING HISTORY

**Ed Fletcher**
**Co-Managing Director,**
Shape History

**Lauren Kay-Lambert**
**Co-Managing Director,**
Shape History

10:15 KEYNOTE | TRENDS IN GIVING: WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN THE NEXT 10 YEARS?

**Philippa Cornish**
**Head of Client Experience,**
Charities Aid Foundation

10:35 LAB | HOW CAN NGOS MOBILISE THE NEXT GENERATION IN FUNDRAISING, CAMPAIGNING, AND ADVOCACY?

**Jack Maycock**
**Associate Strategy Director,**
Shape History

**Dan Lawes**
**Co-Ceo,**
My Life My Say

11:10 BREAK

11:35 KEYNOTE | DIVIDES AND HOSTILITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY: BUILDING MESSAGING THAT UNITES

**Shazia Arshad**
**Head of Communications & Creative Content**,
Islamic Relief UK

11:55 PANEL | THE SHIFT IN DONOR ECONOMY

As major donor countries slash funds and giving is at an all-time low, what needs to shift to fill the gap? Join us for a deep dive into alternative funding routes, creative ways to reach new donor audiences, and go-to-market strategies that work in this challenging economy.

More speakers to be announced soon!

**Ashling Cashmore**
**Head of Impact and Advisory**
Charities Aid Foundation

**Ayesha Gardiner**
**Associate Strategy Director,**
Shape History

13:00 LUNCH

14:15 LAB | REFRAMING REFUGEE NARRATIVES: FROM STORYTELLING TO SYSTEMIC CHANGE

In an increasingly polarised world, how can brands represent marginalised groups in a way that brings clarity, authenticity, and empathy?

Facilitated by Zoë Dawson, Associate Creative Director at Shape History, alongside Yusuf Ciftci, Head of Refugee Involvement at the Refugee Council, and Hiliary Jenkins, Sustainability Business Partner at IKEA, this session will share insights on crafting narratives that connect with audiences and turn values into action while authentically representing refugee experiences.

**Zoë Dawson** **Associate Creative Director,**
Shape History

**Yusuf Ciftci** **Head of Refugee Involvement,**
Refugee Council

**Hiliary Jenkins** **Sustainability Business Partner,**
IKEA

14:50 KEYNOTE | HOW TO ENGAGE IN SERIOUS ISSUES CREATIVELY

**Imali Hettiarachchi**
**Strategy Lead,**
LEGO

15:10 BREAK

15:30 PANEL | CLIMATE CROSSROADS: BUILDING CONNECTION IN A FRACTURED WORLD

Climate action relies on a triangle of three forces: government, business, and the public. But more often, these audiences function as a triangle of inaction, with each side blaming or waiting on the others to move first. Government says it can’t act without business buy-in or public support. Businesses hesitate without clear regulation or public demand. The public feels powerless when neither institutions nor industry lead. The result? Paralysis. Missed opportunities. Eroded trust.

This panel aims to flip that script. We’ll explore how communication, when strategic, honest, and human, can repair these fractured relationships, shift mindsets, and drive action across all three corners. Panellists representing each audience will share practical advice, real stories, and campaign insights to help communicators, campaigners, funders and changemakers better influence and connect.