Chris Ward, The Blue Dot: the power of mobile; reward and recognition

Dominic Vallely, See the Difference: the power of storytelling

Caroline Garnham, Family B-hive: the power of social networks

Benita Matofska, People Who Share

Sheetal Mehta: Microfinance

Rosamund Elwes, Unlocking Behaviour Change: Creating Cultural Contagion

Peter Thomond, SportInspired: Active Social Partners

Toby Moores, Amplifying Social Capital

William Rogers, Social impact evaluation and community asset mapping

Mark Turrell, The Science of Spread

Nichola Hartwell, Banking of Good

Anna Pearson, The Light Touch Volunteering Option

Nigel Kershaw, Extending the Boundaries of Philanthropy

Andy Gibson, Social Media for Social Good

Thea Allison, Human Imagination

Tessy Britton, Gifting Knowledge

Flick McLean, New Trend Philanthropy

Prushanth Naidu, Deutsche Bank: The Positive Feedback Loop

Barret Stanboulian, Public Square Ltd: Business Case not Charity Case

Matt Kepple, Let People Give Together

Sabrina Broadbent, The Kids Are Alright: Innovative Partnerships

Anne-Marie Huby, Justgiving.com

The afternoon session will provide an opportunity for facilitated brainstorming of ideas moderated by Karl James

The results of BITCs consultation and survey on business engagement in local communities, a central theme in the Government’s Big Society agenda, were announced at Business in the Community’s (BITC) AGM and Leadership Summit.

The consultation and survey combined received responses from the UK’s most senior business leaders – from small and local businesses to multinational corporations. The Summit is all about hearing those recommendations, which will be put to the Prime Minister, and hearing his response.

BITC now has over 800 members and runs many programmes and campaigns – and one that Amplified is very fond of, the Work Inspiration programme which has enjoyed huge success in its first year (for more details see www.amplified10.com/workinsp for our live coverage in September – 1 year on from the start of the campaign, and for full details http://www.bitc.org.uk/workplace/work_inspiration/index.html).

BITC President HRH The Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister will be speaking at this AGM & Leadership Summit later today. (We also covered the IBM Start Summit in September – a project of the HRH The Prince of Wales, see #ibmstart).

In his address to members, Stephen Howard, CEO, said:

“The whole social contract that we have with society is changing… …social media has changed the pace of that change”

Leadership teams of BITC have helped transform people, and communities. We are focused on creating a sustainable future.

We were shown a video, presented by HRH, who says:

Leadership teams of BITC have helped transform people, and communities.

“Companies that invest in long term relationships with their communities can build a stronger business”

Being a responsible business today is a two way relationship with the community (bi-directional).

We have learned how to support community entrepreneurs, how to work with the community – our task now is to take this knowledge and drive it forwards – and to continue to collaborate. Public, private, voluntary sector…

We’ve learned how to work with the community. We’ve learned that volunteering in all shapes and forms – from board level to a few hours a week – is invaluable.

Our Ready for work programme gives people confidence, to help them get back in to work. (Other BITC programmes: the Mayday Network, Sustainable Marketplaces, Start Engaging the Consumer, the Visioning Project, Working Internationally)

“It is [long believed that] if business brains could understand the issues in the community, they could come up with practical solutions to them”.

The power of businesses using their brands is immense. And when they collaborate with other businesses in communities – the results are even better.

HRH Prince Charles challenges “large business and brands to use their marketing muscle to create positive change…”

The role for business leaders is to really believe in the importance of their role in the community, and to drive that value through their business.

Stephen Howard: People – Planet – Performance

The journey towards sustainability: what is our role as businesses in the community?

“What kind of country do we want to live in?”

“Work hard, dream big” Stephen Howard

People, Planet:  “sustainability… moving beyond just ‘use less’ ”

(The Responsible Business convention is in March next year).

Capitalism 2.0: is there a compelling picture we can paint together of what a sustainable future might look like? We need to bring together creative talents to develop a compelling vision of the future.

Stephen invited Amanda Sourry, Unilever, to the stage.

“We need to grow differently – we are consuming resources faster that the planet can replenish them” {based on WWF figures}

If we all consumed at the rate of the UK we would need 3 planets… we only have one.

Amanda Sourry, Unilever, spelled out how they are putting sustainability at the heart of their business plan.

It is no longer enough just to put our own house in order. Unilever is committed to doing more in this area.

We have a massive opportunity to positively influence our future. We cannot do this alone – we need everyone to collaborate. Organisations like BITC are key players in making this happen.

Amanda finished her address by urging the audience to look at the 2011 Business in the Community awards – encouraging both small and large businesses www.bitc.org.uk/awards

Stephen thanked Amanda Sourry. We were then invited to stand to receive HRH, The Prince of Wales:

HRH the Prince of Wales: “Thank you for joining us – even through this snow – for my 25th AGM. You have been long suffering to put up with me – if you want to get rid of me please say so!’

HRH chaired his first meeting of the BITC at Lloyds Bank 25 years ago…

“I would like to say a word of thanks to the Prime Minister for being here today. His schedule has certainly been busy…” (Prince William, David Cameron and Davd Beckham have just arrived back from the FIFA bid announcement; HRH the Prince of Wales’ eldest son has given him insider knowledge, he said, of the hard work and lengths to which the UK bid team went to).

Reflecting on changes since the early days of BITC: the importance of the people in the workplace, CSR… and more recently the changes of what CSR means:

“Helping to tackle social issues is an essential part of building a long-term business” HRH Prince Charles

“In this room today are companies who have shown themselves to be far sighted and responsible businesses, in disadvantaged areas” HRH the Prince of Wales.

“We need more companies to join this campaign. 79% of business leaders feel they can do more to engage other businesses to join. Imagine the impact we could have…”

HRH talks community champions and social enterprise:

Remarkable community champions – Dick Atkinson, Borstal Heath, to name one. So often it is the very practical help from businesses that helps social entrepreneurs do their amazing work in their communities.

Meddling or mobilising: business leaders working together can achieve real practical solutions in ways that have eluded the rest of us.

Teach First, for example, of which HRH is a patron, will next year be the largest recruitment programme to get our brightest graduates in to the schools who need them.

There is much more to do: so many places have been left behind in this country – where hope and aspirations have diminished.

“My challenge to you: Together we should identify a few of those places and see what we can do. How can we galvanise those places… build more social and community capital” (HRH).

HRH urges leaders to consider “social value and environmental value, as well as commercial value” in business decisions.

“Severe environmental challenges face us: we must change. We have to change. If we fail the earth we fail humanity. We cannot ignore what confronts us. Britain should be leading the way” (HRH).

Choose something specific that your business can make an impact on, then engage in making a positive difference.

Over the years there has been many examples of outstanding leadership: Two stand out to HRH and those are Sir Phillip Green (Efficiency Report), and Steve Holliday (Skills & Talents).

“Each and every one of you here today has played a part in this. Working together we will achieve so much more. This means collaboration between businesses, charities, NGOs. With your help – we will not fail. Thank you” (HRH).

Sir Stuart Rose thanks HRH Prince Charles for his support:

“Thank you all for taking part in our survey: the overwhelming message is that there is still more to do. However our members agree that businesses should step up… and they want to do” (SR).

“Collaboration is essential in addressing the challenges ahead. Our members want to do this.. they are committed to doing this. We would like the Government to commit to removing obstacles, the red tape – in moving forward”.

Sir Stuart Rose speaks specifically about competition law, and making it more amenable to sensible co-operation.

He then welcomes, the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron.

Prince William was inspiring at the FIFA bid, says PM David Cameron. He shook many hands, tried to persuade people to the very end… “you must never not try to get something because you fear failure.”

“Ever since becoming PM I have wanted to make a speech about the role of business in developing Big Society …

BITC has been the great champion of Big Society. Once again they are leading the charge… the survey demonstrates this.

Cameron names Ed Davey MP Corporate Responsibility Minister.

“If you aren’t on the pitch, you can’t play the game” (very apt football reference from the PM).

“Regaining the sense of shared responsibility” PM David Cameron continues, “shared responsibility” is a core value of the Big Society.

Shared responsibility drives our determination to build a bigger, stronger society. This is the thinking behind the big society. But what does it mean and how do we get there?

The PM outlines three key areas:

1. Decentralising Power
2. Public service reform – best providers, best service, transparent information
3. Social Action – people giving their time and action

On decentralisation: we are changing the planning rules. “We want to give people the right to take over local assets”

On public service reform: anyone can offer to provide them. We want the best to come forward… and for those services to be transparent.

On social action: (we want to) foster a culture of philanthropy, of volunteering, a culture that enhances social capital.

“Community empowerment, public service reform and social action: how dow we take these forward? And what is the role that businesses play?” (PM David Cameron).

“Businesses have some very clear asks of Government so that they can continue to do what they do best (innovate, deliver). Let us cut that needless red tape, cut corporation tax, we will stand up for business. That is our commitment. But we need to be honest with each other”

“Businesses ask for less red tape, lower taxes… we [Government] will stand up for business, but we will also stand up to business.

“However we have to reduce the demand for those (barriers): we need the commitment, creativity and innovation to help us to tackle those problems that face us – such as obesity.

“If business is prepared to do that, government can go further in helping businesses”.

What exactly is the deal? what do we want from business? The PM will not be prescriptive… but our asks of you:

Uphold the law, treat employees fairly…

“If we remain silent in the face of these issues we do an injustice”.

“CSR is much more than businesses avoiding doing harm. It is about contributing to a better society’. (PM David Cameron).

BITC asked for consistency and clarity from and across Government about what Government wants from business.

The commitments published by the PM today in the Every Business Commits initiative “applies to every business of every size. The people in this room are probably doing this already – our challenge is to take it further”.

Every Business Commits – 5 points:

Reduce carbon

Improve skills

Support your community

Improve quality of life and wellbeing

Support small and medium-sized enterprises

(on small business support :- “pay on time, mentor others, use small/local business).

There are still huge barriers in the way: Government will do everything it can to help whether that is CRB checks, helping previously unemployed people back in to work…

PM: “My challenge to you; is to scale up the good work – lead by BITC. To generate 1000 business connectors in the poorest areas. To ensure that business in those areas that need the most help, can address issues in their communities”.

“Next year is going to be a crucial year for our economy – but also for our society too. Corporate philanthropy: you are a force for good in our economy but also in our society too. You have the power to build that shared future… for a stronger future and a better Britain”.

PM continues; “We are setting up a transition fund for the Big Society. We are also setting up a big society bank to help social enterprises take essential loans. Capital that can be invested…”

Comments from the audience:

ASDA: as a retailer the work we do in 100s of communities is fundamental to how we support neighbourhoods, and frontline groups that tackle social issues locally.

Sainsbury’s: Referring to ‘business connectors’ – the best way we can build on this is to help people become pioneers; and we will work with government and BITC to define this.

PM gets increasingly passionate as he answers Questions…. “Giving [money] isn’t enough… Give talent, people, capacity…”

PM: “30 years ago we asked businesses for money. Then we looked at leveraging their brands. Now – it is all about people. The talent, the capacity. This is the importance of business connectors. Imagine what your top staff could do…

The “Every business commits” initiative from government asks under Support Your Community for encouragement of volunteering and philanthropy, making skills and resources available to neighbourhood groups, local arts organisations and for social action. Promote payroll giving. Help employees to get involved in social action e.g. Taking Citizen University course. Strong emphasis on connecting directly with the community.

From the floor: “at the heart of our communities are schools”

PM closes with: “A big thank you for all that you do. You are the leading light for this incredibly powerful vision. The power of business is not just good for economy – it is good for our society”.

HRH The Prince of Wales thanks Sir Stuart Rose for his leadership during his time as Chairman of BITC: “thank you Sir Stuart Rose for all you have done for BITC. The skills you acquired at M&S…. you have brought to BITC. I would like to thank (him) most warmly for everything he has done….”

HRH: “In Mark Price I believe BITC has a truly worthy successor”

Please welcome… the new chairman, Mark Price.

Mark Price (Waitrose): “I feel privileged to be the new chairman … it is a testament (to Sir Stuart Rose) to have HRH Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister here today”.

Mark Price talks about Waitrose’s commitment to letting staff develop their skills and interests, and to do the right thing… and achieving a true sense of well being

Mark Price: “wellbeing and happiness is not measured by economic wellbeing alone but by quality of life…. (To the PM): I welcome your support for businesses”.

Mark Price: “partnership must be our watch word”

Mark quotes an African proverb: “if you want to travel fast, travel alone, if you want to travel far, travel together.”

I am looking forward to continuing the journey… with BITC.

Prince William was inspiring at the FIFA bid, says PM David Cameron. He shook many hands, tried to persuade people to the very end… “you must never not try to get something because you fear failure.”

“Ever since becoming PM I have wanted to make a speech about the role of business in developing Big Society …

BITC has been the great champion of Big Society. Once again they are leading the charge… the survey demonstrates this.

Cameron names Ed Davey MP Corporate Responsibility Minister.

“If you aren’t on the pitch, you can’t play the game” (very apt football reference from the PM).

“Regaining the sense of shared responsibility” PM David Cameron continues, “shared responsibility” is a core value of the Big Society.

Shared responsibility drives our determination to build a bigger, stronger society. This is the thinking behind the big society. But what does it mean and how do we get there?

The PM outlines three key areas:

1. Decentralising Power
2. Public service reform – best providers, best service, transparent information
3. Social Action – people giving their time and action

On decentralisation: we are changing the planning rules. “We want to give people the right to take over local assets”

On public service reform: anyone can offer to provide them. We want the best to come forward… and for those services to be transparent.

On social action: (we want to) foster a culture of philanthropy, of volunteering, a culture that enhances social capital.

“Community empowerment, public service reform and social action: how dow we take these forward? And what is the role that businesses play?” (PM David Cameron).

“Businesses have some very clear asks of Government so that they can continue to do what they do best (innovate, deliver). Let us cut that needless red tape, cut corporation tax, we will stand up for business. That is our commitment. But we need to be honest with each other”

“Businesses ask for less red tape, lower taxes… we [Government] will stand up for business, but we will also stand up to business.

“However we have to reduce the demand for those (barriers): we need the commitment, creativity and innovation to help us to tackle those problems that face us – such as obesity.

“If business is prepared to do that, government can go further in helping businesses”.

What exactly is the deal? what do we want from business? The PM will not be prescriptive… but our asks of you:

Uphold the law, treat employees fairly…

“If we remain silent in the face of these issues we do an injustice”.

“CSR is much more than businesses avoiding doing harm. It is about contributing to a better society’. (PM David Cameron).

BITC asked for consistency and clarity from and across Government about what Government wants from business.

The commitments published by the PM today in the Every Business Commits initiative “applies to every business of every size. The people in this room are probably doing this already – our challenge is to take it further”.

Every Business Commits – 5 points:

Reduce carbon, improve skills, support your community, improve quality of life and wellbeing, support small and medium-sized enterprises (on small business support :- “pay on time, mentor others, use small/local business).

There are still huge barriers in the way: Government will do everything it can to help whether that is CRB checks, helping previously unemployed people back in to work…

PM: “My challenge to you; is to scale up the good work – lead by BITC. To generate 1000 business connectors in the poorest areas. To ensure that business in those areas that need the most help, can address issues in their communities”.

“Next year is going to be a crucial year for our economy – but also for our society too. Corporate philanthropy: you are a force for good in our economy but also in our society too. You have the power to build that shared future… for a stronger future and a better Britain”.

PM continues; “We are setting up a transition fund for the Big Society. We are also setting up a big society bank to help social enterprises take essential loans. Capital that can be invested…”

Comments from the audience:

ASDA: as a retailer the work we do in 100s of communities is fundamental to how we support neighbourhoods, and frontline groups that tackle social issues locally.

Sainsbury’s: Referring to ‘business connectors’ – the best way we can build on this is to help people become pioneers; and we will work with government and BITC to define this.

PM gets increasingly passionate as he answers Questions…. “Giving [money] isn’t enough… Give talent, people, capacity…”

PM: “30 years ago we asked businesses for money. Then we looked at leveraging their brands. Now – it is all about people. The talent, the capacity. This is the importance of business connectors. Imagine what your top staff could do…

The “Every business commits” initiative from government asks under Support Your Community for encouragement of volunteering and philanthropy, making skills and resources available to neighbourhood groups, local arts organisations and for social action. Promote payroll giving. Help employees to get involved in social action e.g. Taking Citizen University course. Strong emphasis on connecting directly with the community.

From the floor: “at the heart of our communities are schools”

PM closes with: “A big thank you for all that you do. You are the leading light for this incredibly powerful vision. The power of business is not just good for economy – it is good for our society”.

HRH chaired his first meeting of the BITC at Lloyds Bank 25 years ago…

“I would like to say a word of thanks to the Prime Minister for being here today. His schedule has certainly been busy…” (Prince William, David Cameron and Davd Beckham have just arrived back from the FIFA bid announcement; HRH the Prince of Wales’ eldest son has given him insider knowledge, he said, of the hard work and lengths to which the UK bid team went to).

Reflecting on changes since the early days of BITC: the importance of the people in the workplace, CSR… and more recently the changes of what CSR means:

“Helping to tackle social issues is an essential part of building a long-term business” HRH Prince Charles

“In this room today are companies who have shown themselves to be far sighted and responsible businesses, in disadvantaged areas” HRH the Prince of Wales.

“We need more companies to join this campaign. 79% of business leaders feel they can do more to engage other businesses to join. Imagine the impact we could have…”

HRH talks community champions and social enterprise:

Remarkable community champions – Dick Atkinson, Borstal Heath, to name one. So often it is the very practical help form businesses that helps social entrepreneurs do their amazing work in the communities.

Meddling or mobilising: business leaders working together can achieve real practical solutions in ways that have eluded the rest of us.

Teach First of which HRH is a patron, will next year be the largest recruitment programme to get our brightest graduates in to the schools who need them.

There is much more to do: so many places have been left behind in this country – where hope and aspirations have diminished.

“My challenge to you: Together we should identify a few of those places and see what we can do. How can we galvanise those places… build more social and community capital” (HRH).

HRH urges leaders to consider “social value and environmental value, as well as commercial value” in business decisions.

“Severe environmental challenges face us: we must change. We have to change. If we fail the earth we fail humanity. We cannot ignore what confronts us. Britain should be leading the way

..we cannot ignore what confronts us. Britain should be leading the way” (HRH).

Choose something specific that your business can make an impact on, then engage in making a positive difference.

Over the years there has been many examples of outstanding leadership: Two stand out to HRH and those are Sir Phillip Green, and Steve Holliday (Skills & Talents).

“Each and every one of you here today has played a part in this. Working together we will achieve so much more. This means collaboration between businesses, charities, NGOs. With your help – we will not fail. Thank you” (HRH).

Sir Stuart Rose thanks HRH Prince Charles for his support:

“Thank you all for taking part in our survey: the overwhelming message is that there is still more to do. However our members agree that businesses should step up… and they want to do” (SR).

“Collaboration is essential in addressing the challenges ahead. Our members want to do this.. they are committed to doing this. We would like the Government to commit to removing obstacles, the red tape – in moving forward.

Sir Stuart Rose speaks specifically about competition law, and making it more amenable to sensible co-operation.

He then welcomes, the Prime Minister, the Rt Hon David Cameron.

HRH: “In Mark Price I believe BITC has a truly worthy successor”

Please welcome… the new chairman, Mark Price.

Mark Price (Waitrose): “I feel privileged to be the new chairman … it is a testament (to Sir Stuart Rose) to have HRH Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister here today”.

Mark Price talks about Waitrose’s commitment to letting staff develop their skills and interests, and to do the right thing… and achieving a true sense of well being

Mark Price: “wellbeing and happiness is not measured by economic wellbeing alone but by quality of life…. (To the PM): I welcome your support for businesses”.

Mark Price: “partnership must be our watch word”

Mark quotes an African proverb: “if you want to travel fast, travel alone, if you want to travel far, travel together.”

I am looking forward to continuing the journey… with BITC.

If we all consumed at the rate of the UK we would need 3 planets… we only have one.

Amanda Sourry, Unilever, spelled out how they are putting sustainability at the heart of their business plan.

It is no longer enough just to put our own house in order. Unilever is committed to doing more in this area.

We have a massive opportunity to positively influence our future. We cannot do this alone – we need everyone to collaborate. Organisations like BITC are key players in making this happen.

Amanda finished her address by urging the audience to look at the 2011 Business in the Community awards – encouraging both small and large businesses www.bitc.org.uk/awards

Stephen thanked Amanda Sourry. We were then invited to stand to receive HRH, The Prince of Wales:

The Clore Leadership Programme offers Fellowships and Short Courses for individual leaders, and training for members of Boards of Directors of cultural organisations. Clore aims to disseminate the lessons learnt and to speak out more generally as advocates for cultural leadership and excellence.

We fund the charitable activities of organisations that have the ideas and ability to achieve change for the better.We like to consider work which others may find hard to fund, perhaps because it breaks new ground, appears too risky, requires core funding, or needs a more unusual form of financial help such as a loan. We also take initiatives ourselves where new thinking is required or where we believe there are important unexplored opportunities.

We aim to commit £25 million annually towards a wide range of work. Our primary interests are in the UK’s cultural life, education and learning, the natural environment and enabling disadvantaged people to participate more fully in society.

Dawn Austwick OBE

Dawn is the Chief Executive of the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, a grant-making trust that aims to improve the quality of life throughout the UK. She was formerly the Deputy Director of the British Museum, and from 1995 – 2000 was Project Director of Tate Modern.  Before that Dawn was a Principal Consultant at KPMG, Theatre Manager of the Half Moon Theatre, and Projects Co-ordinator at Arts & Business.

Dawn has an MBA from the London Business School and an honorary doctorate from London Metropolitan University.  She is a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces, a member of the NCVO’s Funding Commission and sits on the AHRC Audit Committee and the Public Interest General Council of the Office for Public Management. Dawn is a Companion of the Chartered Institute of Management.

A symposium for cultural leaders hosted by the Clore Leadership Programme and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.

See here for speaker biographies:

Deborah Bull

Deborah Bull danced with The Royal Ballet for twenty years before taking up a new position at the Royal Opera House, specifically focused on developing new art, new artists and new audiences. Her areas of responsibility include Audience Engagement strategies, Olympics Planning, Main Stage Summer Season programming, Big Screen programming, ROH On the Road, ROH Collections as well as ROH2, the ROH’s contemporary producing arm.

She has regularly presented on television and radio, including the award-winning BBC series, The Dancer’s Body, and has published three books – The Vitality Plan, Dancing Away and Faber’s Guide to Classical Ballets.

Deborah has received Honorary Doctorates from Derby, Sheffield, Kent and the Open Universities and was named a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1999. She has served on Arts Council England and as a Governor of the BBC.

Joanna MacGregor

Joanna MacGregor is thought of as one of the world’s most innovative musicians, committed to expressing musical connections across increasingly diverse and original programming. The Artistic Director of Bath International Music Festival since 2006, she was also the curator of this year’s multi-arts Deloitte Ignite Festival at the Royal Opera House, bringing together visual artists, contemporary dance, film and theatre installations, as well as music collaborations. She has performed in over sixty countries, often appearing as a solo artist with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, Netherlands Radio and Oslo Philharmonic Orchestras and Chicago Symphony Orchestra. She has worked with many eminent conductors – Pierre Boulez, Sir Colin Davis, Sir Simon Rattle and Michael Tilson Thomas amongst them – and has premiered many landmark compositions ranging from Sir Harrison Birtwistle and Django Bates to John Adams and James MacMillan. In May 2010 she gave two acclaimed performances of Messiaen’s Turangalîla Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra and Valery Gergiev.

Joanna MacGregor made her conducting debut in 2002 and regularly directs her own orchestral projects; she has enjoyed a particularly close partnership with Britten Sinfonia for over ten years. A veteran of over forty solo recordings and founder of the record label SoundCircus (now in partnership with Warners), her many discs range from Scarlatti to John Cage, from jazz to contemporary and world music; the most recent include Bach’s Goldberg Variations, recorded at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Live in Buenos Aires, the Mercury-nominated album Play, Deep River (music of the Deep South), as well as Sidewalk Dances, her own arrangements of New York street musician Moondog, with Britten Sinfonia and jazz ensemble.

Joanna MacGregor holds Professorships at Liverpool Hope University and the Royal College of Art, as well as honorary Fellowships at the Royal Academy of Music, Trinity College of Music and New Hall, Cambridge. Her teaching books ‘Piano World’ have been hailed as ‘worthy of the new millennium’.

Mark Ravenhill

Playwright Mark Ravenhill was educated at Bristol University where he studied English and Drama, and worked for the Soho Poly in London. His first piece, a ten-minute dialogue called Fist, was staged at London’s Finborough pub theatre venue. Max Stafford-Clark, director of Out of Joint Theatre Company, saw the production and invited Ravenhill to contribute a full-length play. This became Shopping and Fucking, produced by Out Of Joint Theatre Company, opening at the Royal Court Theare, London, in September 1996.

His next play, Faust Is Dead, was produced by the Actor’s Touring Company and toured nationally in 1997. It was followed by Handbag in 1998, which won an Evening Standard award, and Some Explicit Polaroids, which opened at the Ambassadors Theatre, London, in November 1999. In 1998, while literary director of Paines Plough, a company started in 1974 to develop new writing, he organised ‘Sleeping Around’, a collaborative writing project.

Mother Clap’s Molly House, set in 18th-century London, was first performed in 2001 at the National’s Lyttleton Theatre with music by Matthew Scott. His radio play Feed Me was broadcast by BBC Radio 3 in 2000. Totally Over You (2004), is a play which explores the world of instant celebrity. In 2006, four further plays were published: The Cut and Product; and Citizenship and Pool (no water). His collection of plays Shoot/Get Treasure/Repeat was produced by Paines Plough in 2007 won a Fringe First Award.  More recent work includes A Life in Three Acts, co-written and performed with Bette Bourne; The Experiment; Nation (from the Terry Pratchett Novel); Ten Plagues a libretto for a new opera by Connor Mitchell (workshop production with Marc Almond) and Ghost Story.  Mark is currently under commission to Headlong Theatre Company and is a frequent contributor to the Guardian newspaper.

Jatinder Verma

Jatinder Verma is co-founder and Artistic Director of TARA. Most recently Jatinder directed Miranda by Farroukh Dhondy for the Edinburgh Festival 2010. In 2009 he directed Hanif Kureishi’s The Black Album for the National Theatre and UK tour. He first worked at the National in 1989, with an acclaimed version of Molière’s Tartuffe. This was followed by a production of the Sanskrit classic, The Little Clay Cart and then Cyrano de Bergerac, in a version by Ranjit Bolt. In 2002 Jatinder produced Journey to the West for Tara, a trilogy of plays which traced the story of Asian migration and settlement in the West over the 20th century. For TARA’s 30th Anniversary in 2007, he directed a production of the Tempest. Author of The Story of Diwali, a book for children, Jatinder has also published several articles exploring the nature of modern cross-culturalism. His frequent work on Radio and TV includes the Sony Award winning Ashes to the Ganges and the 3-part serialisation The Mahabharata (both BBC Radio 4).