Modern Affluence Exchange
I’ve got to be real here, Modern Affluence isn’t my usual stomping ground, but, beyond the bros and broligarchs, there’s a lot of decent folk who’ve amassed wealth too. Co-founded by Marcus Watson, Ben Whattam and Victoria Archibold, MAX is an events platform and advisory that runs a yearly summit at 180 The Strand to re-define what affluence means for the diverse, values-driven ‘modern affluent’. As an equity partner, I’ve collaborated on summit themes, panel ideas, guests and more, to broaden out the cultural conversation beyond luxury, and to keep social impact and questions of legacy central.
Summit themes have ranged from the impact of ‘The Great Wealth Transfer’ to AI everything, from the future of ESG to the quantum computing revolution, from sustainable luxury to asking ‘what type of ancestor do you want to be?’
Speakers & panelists have included, Adam Handling MBE (Michelin starred zero waste chef), Thomas Signer (author, lecturer, economist looking at how demographics affect societal change and markets), Claire Kent (advisor, NED, Prada S.A.), Chris Kenna (CEO, Generation Black TV), Rob Lee (CCO, Rapha), Sally Tennant OBE (founder, Acorn Capital Advisors), Adah Parris (futurist and artist), Sara Pantuliano (CEO, ODI), Veronica Chou (president, Novel Fashion Holdings), Wenmiao Yu (co-founder, Quantum Dice), Duncan Anderson (ex-IBM Watson, founder, Barnacle Labs), and many more.
Partners have included VGC Partners, The Future Lab, Bentley, and Bloomberg.
“Working with Andy is a breath of fresh air. I’ve had the joy of working with him on numerous projects over ten years, including Modern Affluence, and he never disappoints. Cultural awareness with a genuine passion for creativity and commercial application. From start up to big brand, he’s ready and able to deploy his experience and passion.”
Ben Whattam