The conversation explores the origins, purpose, and transformative potential of Anthropy, a unique leadership gathering taking place in March 2025 that convenes diverse voices to envision and shape the future of Britain.
John O'Brien, the founder of Anthropy, reveals how the initiative was born during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic, inspired by the urgent need to rebuild the social fabric and economic stability of the UK while addressing the broader global context.
Anthropy is designed to foster long-term thinking, transcending immediate challenges to focus on creating a sustainable and equitable society for the next generation.
Held at the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK, a location symbolic of regeneration, Anthropy is intentionally designed to disrupt traditional conference formats. Lucy Knill, Anthropy’s managing director, elaborates on the event’s immersive structure, which integrates natural surroundings to inspire both intellectual and emotional engagement.
Over three days, participants experience a mix of large panels, intimate workshops, and informal conversations, all devoid of PowerPoint presentations. Instead, the focus is on authentic dialogue and connection.
By breaking down silos, Anthropy ensures cross-pollination of ideas between leaders from diverse fields, including business, arts, public service, and emerging talent. This melting pot of perspectives fosters unexpected collaborations and innovative solutions to shared challenges.
Looking ahead to the next leadership gathering in March 2025, the discussion underscores the continued evolution of Anthropy’s agenda, driven by the collective insights of its members and participants.
About John O'Brien MBE
John is the founder of ‘Anthropy’, The UK’s largest gathering of cross sector leaders, focused on Britain’s future. It convenes 2,500 leaders and leading organisations at the Eden project in Cornwall for three days and has been nicknamed the ‘The UK Davos’. Anthropy was founded by John as a post Covid pandemic response to the need to ‘build back better’.
John has over forty years muti-sector leadership experience, most recently as EMEA Managing Partner of the ONE HUNDRED group of agencies at Omnicom, the New York based $15bn turnover global marketing company, where he advised some of the world’s largest brands on their purpose and performance. His previous experiences include a decade as a British Army Officer, serving in a variety of operational roles around the world, founding his own global advisory business and working with successive UK governments. For a total of seventeen years, he held a variety of senior roles representing a range of interests for King Charles III (then HRH The Prince of Wales) and his charitable interests. He has run organisations spanning over twenty countries and is also a serial business author. His 2017 ‘The Power of Purpose” was a Forbes “Top 15 Leaders Read”, a WH Smith no3 bestseller as well as being shortlisted UK Business book of the year. His 2021 ‘Truth be Told’, is a guide to navigating the communication challenges of our purposeful age and is the go-to guide for those looking to communicate authentically in this period of fake news and misinformation.
His philanthropy and social impact interests span thirty years with charity patronages, board, and ambassadorial roles. He lives in a small village in South Shropshire with his wife a retired University Department Head, their daughter, a Cairn terrier and two chickens.
About Lucy Knill
Lucy Knill is Managing Director of Anthropy, the UK’s largest gathering of leaders focussed on inspiring a better Britain – one which is more positive, sustainable, equitable and successful. Lucy has twenty years experience in key roles in the experiential event industry, delivering large scale public events, awards evenings, national roadshows, marketing and incentive travel programmes around the world. Lucy has worked with some of the UKs biggest brands and as part of the Omnicom Group. Lucy leads the team managing all functions across the business and is passionate about the role business can play in collaborating to bring practical solutions to some of the UKs challenges.