Walk into most offices today and you’ll notice a trend: uniformity. Rows of identical desks, copy-paste meeting rooms, and a muted palette of greys and whites. But according to workplace designer Kay Sargent, this sameness is failing us — especially in an age of neurodiversity and rising sensory sensitivity.

As director of thought leadership at HOK, Kay Sargent has spent four decades at the forefront of global workplace design, and she's calling for a fundamental shift. Her philosophy? “Design for the extreme, benefit the mean.” In other words, workplaces built to support the most sensitive among us — those overwhelmed by sound, light or texture — end up being better for everyone. And with new research suggesting up to 50% of Gen Z identify as neurodivergent, the stakes have never been higher.

In her conversation with Georgina Godwin, Kay outlines the science of sensory design, the business case for inclusive spaces, and the cultural blind spots holding many organisations back. What emerges is a compelling vision for offices as human-centred cultural platforms — not productivity machines, but places that support deep focus, meaningful connection, and long-term wellbeing.

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Visionary returns in 2026! To mark the new year, we begin with a special tribute to a true visionary: Giorgio Armani — a fashion icon whose quiet authority reshaped the meaning of modern luxury. Armani, who passed away in September 2025, never chased scale. His vision was built on restraint, refinement and staying power.

Bestselling author Dana Thomas reflects on the legacy of a designer who understood that beyond a certain size, brands risk losing control — of their quality, their mission, and their meaning. While others raced for market share, Armani built something lasting. His company may have earned less than the likes of Dior or Louis Vuitton, but in terms of influence, he stood alone. On Hollywood’s red carpet, one name still means elegance: Armani.

Visionary is presented by Here East in London — soon to be home to NABA, the Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (New Academy of Fine Arts), as it opens its first campus outside Italy.

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As we step into 2026, the world feels more uncertain than it has in years. Economies are wobbling. Politics is in flux. And the rise of AI has left many wondering not if, but how our lives will be reshaped.

To mark the new year, we’ve brought together three standout voices from our first season: artist Jason Bruges; Professor Amanda Broderick, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of East London; and Sol Rogers, Director of Innovation at Magnopus.

From how tech is reshaping our cities to the fundamentals of great communication — and whether AI might change them — these conversations offer a glimpse of where we’re headed next.

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In a time when AI churns out scripts and screens compete for every spare second, is there still a future for live performance? Award-winning designer and producer Clint Ramos ('Sunday in the Park with George', 'Into the Woods') believes the answer begins in the classroom — not just in training artists to create, but in preparing them to endure. The Lincoln Centre's Artist-in-Residence shares why education needs to do more than teach technique — it must build resilience, adaptability, and a long view.

As creative careers become harder to sustain, Ramos argues for a rethink: treat arts education not as a pipeline to stardom, but as a foundation for problem-solving, collaboration, and emotional intelligence. In other words, skills that matter far beyond the stage.

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When we talk about global security, most people picture boots on the ground or missiles in the sky. But today’s conflicts are unfolding in quieter, more invisible arenas: in hacked servers, misinformation campaigns, and silent sabotage of infrastructure.

Charles Hecker — geopolitical expert and author of Zero Sum: The Arc of International Business in Russia — joins Georgina Godwin to unpack how hybrid warfare is transforming global business. Drawing from his time in post-Soviet Russia and his deep knowledge of modern intelligence operations, Charles explores how cyber conflict is no longer a side skirmish — it’s the main event.

The rise of digital hostilities isn't just about state actors. From energy companies to chipmakers, the private sector is increasingly caught in the crosshairs — and often left to defend itself.

Charles' message is clear: cybersecurity is no longer a specialist niche — it’s a frontline issue for every organisation. And just as military alliances shaped the 20th century, cyber alliances may define the 21st.

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Former Chancellor Jeremy Hunt joins Marc Sidwell for a rare insider’s look at what it takes to build a Budget under pressure. From late-night policy calls to the fine balance between fiscal discipline and economic ambition, Hunt reveals how the Treasury weighs every decision between raising revenue and protecting productivity.

In this candid conversation, he argues that spending reform — not higher taxes — is key to unlocking growth, and outlines a vision for an economy that rewards work, innovation, and enterprise. Drawing on his time at both the Treasury and the Department of Health, Hunt offers an unvarnished perspective on how policy really gets made.

This episode was produced in partnership with our friends at The Capitalist. Subscribe here: https://linktr.ee/thecapitalistpod

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In a volatile economy, launching a startup might seem risky — but for Paul Krutko, CEO of Ann Arbor Spark, it’s exactly the moment to act. In this energising episode of Visionary, recorded at Here East and hosted by Georgina Godwin, Krutko shares practical advice for founders looking to secure early-stage investment and turn bright ideas into lasting impact.

With decades of experience and a hand in over 450 early-stage deals, Paul offers a clear-eyed look at what investors are really looking for: long-term vision, cross-sector collaboration, and a strong sense of place. His approach? “Gardening” — backing a wide portfolio of promising ventures, not just chasing the next unicorn.

For founders, policymakers, and anyone serious about startup growth, this is a blueprint worth hearing. As Paul puts it: “Real innovation doesn’t start with a building — it starts with a plan.”

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For journalist and activist Maksym Eristavi, defence isn’t just a military term. It’s a mindset. And it starts at home — literally. In this episode of Visionary, recorded at Here East and hosted by Georgina Godwin, Maksym lays out how Ukrainians have turned innovation, identity, and DIY resilience into a powerful toolkit — and why Europeans urgently need to follow suit.

From his work exposing Russia’s colonial legacy to supporting frontline tech startups, Eristavi argues that Europe is still clinging to a peacetime mindset — and dangerously underestimating how fast things are changing. “You don’t wait until the door’s kicked in to install a lock,” he says. That applies to drones, defence investment, and even learning how to go a day without electricity.

This is an episode not just about Ukraine, but about Europe’s future — and why innovation and resilience are skills we all need to master.

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