Rich Mix Past-Present-Future

Join us for a very special panel discussion celebrating our 20th anniversary. 

Twenty years ago, a group of people set out to build a cultural home for East London. Anwar Akhtar, Denise Jones and Michael Keith were part of that story. In this panel discussion, they come together to talk about the scale of collaborations and partnerships it took for Rich Mix to become a reality, what it has meant to the communities around it, and where we go next.

Plus, grab your ticket for our 20th Birthday Party later in the evening from 9pm, featuring DJs, dancing and more into the early hours.

Michael Keith

Michael Keith is a co-founder and previous chair of Rich Mix. A key figure in local politics for over twenty years, he has been leader of Tower Hamlets Council, and board member of a wide range of urban regeneration companies and public-private partnerships. He is also a distinguished Professor at COMPAS, University of Oxford, co-ordinator of Urban Transformations and co-Director of the Oxford Programme for the Future of Cities. 

Denise Jones

Denise Jones is a co-founder of Rich Mix and has been a committed London Borough of Tower Hamlets Councillor since 1994, serving as Mayor of Tower Hamlets from 1999-2000. She founded Eastside Arts Books Ltd, and is a Director of Brick Lane Bookshop and Wiltons Music Hall. She is also a Trustee of the Young V&A and other organisations.

Anwar Akhtar

Anwar Akhtar was Director of Rich Mix on its opening in 2006, working on its original capital, business and cultural development. He is also Director of The Samosa, a culture and politics website with a focus on Britain and South Asia and an Associate of www.urbed.coop, a Manchester based regeneration practice. He has worked as a film producer and also presented for BBC Radio 4.