The Leading Speakers Bureau

City & Regional Development Advisor, Speaker & Facilitator

Greg Clark is a city and regional development advisor, speaker, and facilitator, with 20 years experience, principally in leadership roles in city agencies in London, UK, and advisory roles with many cities/regions, Governmental and inter-Governmental organisations, internationally. He currently holds a portfolio of core roles; including Senior Fellow, ULI EMIA, Lead Advisor on City and Regional Development at the Department for Communities and Local Government and advisor to the OECD, British Council on City and Regional Development.

“A highly respected commentator in his field”

[expand title=”In detail”] Greg Clark provides strategic advice and peer reviews for many cities and regions world wide. Based on his knowledge of the working successes of over 100 cities and regions around the world he distils practical insights to inform the development plans and tools of those who consult him. Greg also regularly facilitates meetings, conferences, seminars and negotiations between groups and individuals engaged in the drive to make cities and regions work better.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Greg Clark distils the very best practices from around the world to help cities and regions tackle real challenges effectively, generate new leadership, build new city-regional strategies, foster business collaborations, generate financial innovation and powerful place branding.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A dynamic conference speaker and chairman, Greg Clark has contributed to over 200 conferences world wide. He speaks on issues facing cities such as competitiveness and growth, leadership and place, financing the future, and the advantages of diversity and openness in a global economy.[/expand]

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Forecaster and Urban Planner

Dr. Anthony Townsend is an internationally renowned urban planner and expert on smart cities. He is Senior Research Scientist at New York University’s Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management where he investigates the impacts of mobile information services and communications on travel behavior and long-term shifts in mobility demands in megacities and the impacts of both trends on transportation planning and policy analysis. He is also a Fellow at the Data & Society Research Institute, a New York City-based think/do tank focused on social, cultural and ethical issues arising from data-centric technological development. In 2013 he founded the urban design and planning consultancy Bits and Atoms LLC of which he is the President.

“Leading expert on the implications of new technology for cities”

[expand title=”In detail”] Anthony holds a Ph.D. in urban and regional planning from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master’s in urban planning from New York University and a B.A. in urban studies from Rutgers University. From 2005 to 2014 he was a research director at the Institute for the Future, an independent research organization based in California’s Silicon Valley, where his work focused on cities, innovation and technology-led economic development. Prior to this he was Research Assistant Professor at New York University and Director of NYCwireless. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Anthony analyses the impact of new technology on cities and public institutions and the role of technology in economic development. He speaks frequently around the world on the smart city industry, government service innovation and technology innovation systems and is active in international future research networks.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Highly inspiring and thought provoking, Anthony’s remarks are of great interest for decision makers from all over the world. [/expand]

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Internationally Renowned Architect

Daniel Libeskind is an international figure in architectural practice and urban design. He is well known for introducing a new critical discourse into architecture and for his multidisciplinary approach. His practice extends from building major cultural and commercial institutions – including museums and concert halls – to convention centres, universities, housing, hotels, shopping centres and residential work. He also designs opera sets and maintains an object design studio. In June 2014 he led the Town Hall discussions at the New Cities Summit in Dallas, USA.

“One of the most sought-after architects in the world.”
Time Magazine

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1989, Daniel won the competition for the Jewish Museum Berlin, which opened to the public in 2001. He also built additions to museums in London, Toronto, San Francisco, and Denver as well as the creation of a number of other cultural institutions. He rocketed to fame in 2003 after receiving a commission to create the master plan for the reconstruction of the World Trade Centre which had been destroyed in terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.

He has taught and lectured at many universities worldwide. Two of his buildings won RIBA Awards in 2004, the London Metropolitan University Graduate Centre and the Imperial War Museum North. Also in 2004, he was appointed the first Cultural Ambassador for Architecture by the U.S. Department of State.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”] A highly experienced and professional architect Daniel draws on his experiences to motivate and inspire audiences.

He offers insights into the world of art and creativity and reveals the secrets of his remarkable success. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A relaxed and confident presenter Daniel educates audiences with his presentations which are filled with a wealth of innovative and relevant business ideas. One of the world’s most distinguished and exciting architectures he is in great demand at various events throughout the world.[/expand]

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Renowned Architect

George Efstathoiu is an internationally renowned architect. He was Chief Architect of some of the most remarkable buildings, amongst them, the tallest building in the world the Burj Khalifa in Dubai as well as the Rolex and Cayan Towers. He is a consulting partner in the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings, & Merrill LLP where is responsibilities include the delivery of SOM’s services, including the coordination and management of all professional disciplines required for each of his client’s projects.

“One of the Middle East’s most celebrated and established architects”
ME Architect magazine

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr. Efstathiou’s experience has encompassed the design, technical coordination and project management of a variety of projects. In 1989 he relocated to SOM’s London office for two years to manage both Broadgate and Ludgate projects. In addition to his experience in the United States, Mr. Efstathiou has extensive international experience in the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Korea, Russia, China, Brazil, and the Middle East.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Based on his considerable expertise George offers audiences around the globe an in depth and personal view of the processes involved in designing and building some of the world’s most iconic buildings. He explains in detail the design process from inception to completion and offers a fascinating look at the creative processes behind his designs.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A prolific speaker with a deep and thorough knowledge of the profession, Georg Efstathoiu is in great demand at conferences around the globe.[/expand]
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Pioneering Architect & Engineer, Founder SENSEable City Lab, MIT

Carlo Ratti is a civil engineer and architect who teaches at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he directs the SENSEable City Laboratory, which explores the “real-time city” by studying the way sensors and electronics relate to the built environment. He’s opening a research center in Singapore as part of an MIT-led initiative on the Future of Urban Mobility. All of his work provides an interesting perspective on the kinds of sensory technologies we’ll see in the smart cities of the (near) future.

“Carlo Ratti is almost redefining what being an architect is”

[expand title=”In detail”] Carlo Ratti grew up in several European countries, graduating in engineering at the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées in Paris, France, and at the Politecnico di Torino in Italy. He later earned his MPhil. and Ph.D. in architecture from the University of Cambridge, UK. In 2000 he moved to MIT as a Fulbright postdoctoral fellow, working with Hiroshi Ishii at the MIT Media Lab. In 2002 he established the design office carlorattiassociati – Walter Nicolino and Carlo Ratti in Torino, Italy. His projects use data gathered from sensors to actually create dazzling new environments. The Digital Water Pavilion, for instance, reacts to visitors by parting a stream of water to let them visit and a new project for the 2012 Olympics in London turns a pavilion building into a cloud of blinking interactive art.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Carlo Ratti is a world renowned thinker whose research into the less tangible qualities of the contemporary urban environment could radically alter the way we understand and design for the city. He provides a fascinating view of the technologies he has been developing. He has spoken at prestigious events worldwide, including the World Economic Forum in Davos (2009) and at TED2011 and brings his own unique perspective on how he uses interesting media to create flexible, interactive structures and visuals.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]Carlo Ratti is a tall, slender and slightly gangling arc of good-natured exuberance. He has a clear, humorous and fascinating speaking style and his presentations are high in fresh and exciting content.[/expand]

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The Most Influential Green Architect in the World

William McDonough is an internationally renowned designer and one of the primary proponents and shapers of what he and his partners call ‘The Next Industrial Revolution.’ In 2007, he was elected an International Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects and is part of the Management Committee of HRH The Prince of Wales’s Business & The Environment Programme at Cambridge University.

Mr. McDonough works with corporations to redesign buildings, processes and products to work according to nature’s rules

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr. McDonough’s serves as U.S. Chairman and member of the Board of Councillors of the China-U.S. Center for Sustainable Development. From 1994-1999, Mr. McDonough was the Edward E. Elson Professor of Architecture and Dean of the School of Architecture at the University of Virginia. He designed the city-sized Ford plant in Dearborn, Michigan, where he installed the world’s largest green roof, saving the company millions a year in utility costs alone. He is also the master planner behind seven new, entirely green cities in China. In his practical-minded, nature-inspired projects he employs sustainable principles that are both beautiful and cost-effective; principles that have caught on worldwide.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Mr. McDonough’s leadership in sustainable development is recognized widely, both in the U.S. and internationally, and he has written and lectured extensively on his design philosophy and practice. He was commissioned in 1991 to write The Hannover Principles: Design for Sustainability as guidelines for the City of Hannover’s EXPO 2000, and in 1993 to give the Centennial Sermon at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. More recently, Mr. McDonough and Michael Braungart co-authored ‘Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things’. [/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]In his fascinating talks, delivered with eloquence and a very dry sense of humour, McDonough draws on his stunning body of work to provide you with strategies toward absolute sustainability in all industries. He also explains his influential cradle to cradle design process, in which products can be used, recycled, and used again without losing any material quality.[/expand]
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Renowned Urban Planner, Author of City Comforts: How to Build an Urban Village

David Sucher is an observer of cities, a planner, a development professional, a lawyer and a respected author. He now develops neighbourhood-scale real estate, both residential and commercial and is currently working on a new book entitled ‘The Three Rules of Urban Design’. He gives a unique way of looking at and speaking about our immediate environment.

“An anti-ideas kind of guy”
David Sucher

[expand title=”In detail”] David Sucher studied at Columbia University, the University of Washington and the Seattle University Law School. He started his career as an urban planner for the City of Seattle, Washington, where he worked on issues surrounding electric rates, environmentally sensitive areas, design review, anti-discriminatory lending, and shoreline management. He was also a member of the Seattle Planning Commission for four years. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]David Sucher provides informative and insightful presentations including what he believes are the Three Rules for quality urban design and other thoughts. He offers his observations on what it really takes to create a dynamic urban village, giving examples of small things that make urban life pleasant. He enthusiastically gives a series of modest, down-to-earth tips about how cities and towns can turn themselves into more agreeable places. No theory, no philosophy, no criticism – just practical observations about things that work and have shown their value.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]David Sucher’s enthralling and eye-opening presentations are greatly appreciated by architects, city planners, and land use developers amongst others.[/expand]
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Director of Urban Projects of the City of Barcelona

Josep Anton Acebillo is one of the most renowned Spanish architects. He was in charge of leading the main infrastructures projects for the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and for some of the most important changes of Barcelona’s infrastructure. Under his leadership Barcelona gained worldwide recognition for its positioning in the international architecture scene. For his contribution to Barcelona’s transformation he has received the Honorific Medal of the City of Barcelona and the RIBA awards with the Royal Gold Medal for Architecture, amongst others.

“Josep Anton Acebillo is a foremost expert on urban transformation”

[expand title=”In detail”] In 1993 he founded Barcelona Regional, an agency for the strategic development of urban projects and infrastructure where he continues to be the CEO. In 2007 he founded the independent Switzerland based studio Architecture Urban Systems. Acebillo is currently a Professor at the Accademia di Architettura di Mendrisio in which he was Faculty Dean between 2003 and 2007 and where he heads the Institute for the Contemporary Urban Project since 2004. Prior to his he taught at several architecture schools, such as the Faculty of Yale, the Harvard Graduate School of Design, the Architecture School of the National University of Singapore and the International Architecture and Urban Design Laboratory.[/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]Josep Anton Acebillo offers great insights into the transformation of one of the most visited cities in the world. He advises organisations and governments around the world on their urban transformation endeavours and assists them in finding the most appropriate strategies.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]His engaging and insightful presentations make Josep Anton Acebillo a sought after speaker at prestigious events worldwide. [/expand]
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Architect and Urbanist

Rem Koolhaas is a Dutch architect, architectural theorist, urbanist and Professor in the Practice of Architecture and Urban Design at the Graduate School of Design at Harvard University, USA. Currently he is heading the work of OMA as well as AMO – the conceptual branch of OMA, a think tank focused on social, economic, and technological issues.

“Rem Koolhaas is that rare combination of visionary and implementer — philosopher and pragmatist — theorist and prophet”

[expand title=”In detail”] Mr Koolhaas first studied scriptwriting at the Dutch Film Academy, and was then a journalist for the Haagse Post before starting studies, in 1968, in architecture at the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London, followed, in 1972, by further studies at Cornell University in New York. He has won several International Awards including the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2000, the Royal Gold Medal in 2004 and the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 2010 Venice Biennale. [/expand]

[expand title=”What he offers you”]In his presentations Rem examines the relationship between built structures, human behaviour, commerce and culture. He offers a truly unique perspective which focuses on changing urban conditions around the world and the role of retail and consumption in contemporary society.[/expand]

[expand title=”How he presents”]A charming and unassuming speaker, Rem’s highly informative presentations are enthusiastically delivered.[/expand]
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