Lucy Barbor is founder at We Are Masterplan: strategy consultancy and training school, and independent consultant - prior to which, she was CSO at PHD, Strategy Partner at Carat and director of brand media at dunnhumby. She is also founder and chairperson for UN//SCENE - a a new creative festival for fresh thinking, new voices and building hope for our industry.
MK: Lucy, our industry has a bit of a habit of doing a lot of talking and not a lot of action. What is UN//SCENE and how is it different?
LB: The day is designed to leave everyone more connected and with practical steps they can take into the wider world to create positive change. We want to hear about real issues: menopause, grief, health and indeed, the challenges of life in freelance.
All our profits go to charity, so we’re not selling anything. That sets us apart from pushing product and instead, gives us the licence to tackle the challenges our industry is really facing.
We are focused on creating action, not just broadcasting concepts, we’ll be creating together as a community. Many of our ‘speaker slots’ are actually interactive: debates, workshops, play-sessions and masterclasses. The structured timeframes will run longer and shorter than the classic 25-minute slots, so we’ll have room for deep discussions and space for many voices to contribute.
We’ve got a series of tracks, running across rooms within our venue, Conway Hall. They are built around themes of UN//SEEN Potential, UN//SOLVED Problems, UN//SPOKEN Possibilities and UN//APOLOGETIC Perspectives, all driven at creating solutions together.
We shared some of Kathryn Ellis’ research last week, showing the lack of diversity in the creative and strategy space - and I know you’re actively trying to make strategy more accessible through your own work too - what are the barriers to entry in your view, and how do you feel UN//SCENE might contribute to resolving some of those issues?
Our industry rewards fame. High price events demand ‘big names’ on the stage, so we get a cyclical representation of C-Suite reps saying the same sanctioned things on a loop. I’d go so far as to say we’ve become toothless in our parity, so rarely looking to those with the sharpest perspectives for their points of view.
How on earth can we claim to speak to culture if everyone on the stage thinks the same?
UN//SCENE is a counter-point to that. A show, not a show off. We believe in the creativity that exists across all parts of our industry. We built this festival to platform that. Our broad, brilliant committee of volunteers is really excited about who’s applying and we’ve reached out to specific groups (including Outside Perspective!) to source the voices we wouldn’t usually hear from. We’re also working with specialists in the committee to ensure we flatten as much bias as possible within the application and selection process.
Who will be speaking on the day?
Applications to speak are now open!
If you’ve got a burning idea, please submit it – find the Submissions page on unscenefestival.co.uk. It’s a short, simple process.
Even you’ve never spoken ‘on a stage’ before, please go for it. The speaker options include short-form sharing slots, where you can express your ideas without running a full 45 min keynote.
We’re here to uncover new voices - of any age - and fresh thinking, so if you think that’s you, apply.
You’re specifically keen for freelancers to contribute - why’s that?
Ideas, inspiration, innovation - something the freelance community has in spades but, without the clout of a ‘title’, it so often goes unheard (i.e. UN//SPOKEN)
The freelance community is rapidly growing and yet, so little is built for us. We see the world from outside the structures, providing a unique perspective. We’re not restricted by an over-arching business line so are able to shed real light on the challenges we face.
This is a festival for all of us, including those not backed by a brand or agency.
Our ticket pricing - a flat £99 for the full day - is designed to try and make this as affordable as possible; though we’ve also reserved a few select discounted tickets for those for whom this is a stretch, but want to attend.
There are no early bird discounts, no late price cuts planned, just one price for all. Sales have been stellar since we opened them up on Monday so please buy now (on Eventbrite and link via our website) so you don’t miss out.
Going beyond the talks - what impact are you hoping for UN//SCENE to have - what’s next on the roadmap?
This is very much year one. We’ve got growth plans for other events, including smaller sessions through the year and a stellar year two. One specific thing we’d like to do is to take the event outside of London in the UK. Not everyone can or should have to travel to be seen. There’s obviously so much talent around the country that gets woefully overlooked, so we want to show up for, and showcase, the brilliant minds from beyond the M25.
But, proof of concept comes first so we’re looking forward to seeing you in September!
UN//SCENE is on September 17, 2025. Find out more at unscenefestival.co.uk and get tickets at Eventbrite.