With the inaugural Conference News Creative Leaders Summit fast approaching, Conference News has spoken to some speakers and panellists about their upcoming sessions, the importance of creative leaders coming together and the biggest challenges facing creative leaders today
The summit is taking place on 11 and 12 June at De Vere Horsley Estate and will bring together senior creative figures from the agency community, discussing the challenges and sharing best practice when delivering creative visions for immersive live and brand experiences. Find out more about the summit here.
In this interview, we spoke to Hope Lewington, creative director at CTL Communications. Lewington will be speaking on the second day, on a panel called ‘The Creative & Production Relationship: From Friction to Flow’.
The panel will discuss how the most effective agencies foster mutual respect, shared language and collaborative problem-solving between creative visionaries and logistical masterminds. She will be discussing this alongside Laura Lucas, head of creative & events at UKSV Ltd, Nick Thomas, head of technical production at The Collective, BCD UK and Stuart Button, executive creative director at Brandfuel.
What inspired you to say yes to speaking at the Creative Leaders Summit?
I’ve always believed in the power of creative leaders learning from each other, not just the polished outcomes, but the behind the scenes realities – the struggles, pivots, tensions, and breakthroughs. The Summit felt like the perfect space to share honestly, connect meaningfully, and hopefully offer something useful to others walking a similar path.
Why do you think it’s important for creative leaders in our industry to come together right now?
Because the world isn’t slowing down, and neither are the expectations on us. But we’re not robots. We’re makers, feelers, challengers. Coming together gives us a rare pause to reflect, recharge, and remind each other that creativity is a team sport, not a solo act.
Can you give us a sneak peek into what your session will cover?
It’s a raw and honest look at the relationship between creative and production, the friction, the flow, and everything in between. We’ll talk about where it breaks down, what makes it work, and how to turn the tension into fuel rather than fire. No buzzwords. No sugarcoating. Just the real stuff.
What’s the one key idea or takeaway you hope people leave your session with?
We’re cracking open the creative–production relationship. Not with post-it notes and process diagrams, but with truth. The friction, the f-bombs, the fragile balance between vision and logistics. We’re diving into the gritty stuff that makes the difference between great ideas that fly…and ones that fall flat.
Who is your session aimed at, and why should they come along?
If you’ve ever found yourself saying “they just don’t get it”, whether you’re on the creative or production side, this is for you. It’s for anyone who wants better collaboration, fewer crossed wires, and more joyful making.
How did you land on the topic you’re speaking about, was it driven by a personal experience or industry trend?
Both. I’ve been lucky to work with some incredible producers who’ve challenged me, saved me, and made the work better. But I’ve also felt the sting of mistrust or misalignment. This topic felt like a chance to dig into why that happens, and how we fix it.
In your view, what’s the biggest challenge facing creative leaders today?
Bridging the gap between big ideas and real-world execution…without losing the magic. It’s easy to get stuck on either side of that divide. The real leadership comes from learning to walk the line… and bring others with you.
How do you keep your creative edge in a fast-paced industry like ours?
I fight for space. Space to think, space to feel, space to not know the answer straight away. And I lean into tension…it’s often where the best ideas are hiding. Also, surround yourself with people who challenge you, not just cheer for you.
What advice would you give to the next generation of creative leaders?
You don’t need to have all the answers. But you do need to care – about the work, the people, and the process. Be the kind of leader who listens fiercely, protects creativity like it’s sacred, and knows when to fight for an idea and when to evolve it. That’s leadership that lasts.
To register to attend the Conference News Creative Leaders Summit click here.
