Latest news with #CharlotteClark
Entrepreneur
08-08-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Building Culture at Scale
INCA Productions didn't set out to disrupt - they set out to do things differently. Nearly three decades on, they've redefined what creative production can look like when intuition, independence, and trust lead the way. This is the story of how quiet conviction built an industry heavyweight. You're reading Entrepreneur United Kingdom, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. London based INCA Productions has spent nearly three decades at the forefront of experiential marketing and event production, delivering culturally resonant work for brands including Chanel, Netflix, Apple and the British Fashion Council. But the journey began with a desire to shake things up. "INCA Productions was launched 28 years ago," says Nina Ferguson, who co-founded the company alongside Charlotte Clark. "I was driven by a desire to do things differently, to be in control of my own destiny and to create the kind of work culture I believe brings out the best in people." The pair weren't interested in replicating existing agency models. Their focus was on culture, creativity and building something that felt more human. "I wanted to build something that was both creatively fulfilling and structurally sound, where values like trust, autonomy, and collaboration were the foundation of how we operated," says Ferguson. Clark echoes that sentiment: "We were inspired to create something new, something fresh. We felt there was a space in the market for an agency that was both culturally connected and creatively approachable." At the time, production companies were often large and rigid. "What was missing was agility, a nimble, responsive mindset that could still deliver to the highest creative and technical standards," says Clark. "From day one, it was essential to us that we remain culturally attuned while executing with precision and quality." What also set INCA apart was their commitment to people. "Equally important was our desire to empower the brilliant people around us, to build something that gave space for creative ambition and individual expression, especially for the phenomenal women we had surrounded ourselves with," says Clark. "INCA has always been about championing talent and encouraging people to explore the full potential of their ideas." That belief has translated into some of the most ambitious and talked-about productions in recent years. "We worked with the British Fashion Council to transform the British Fashion Awards from a 250-person dinner at the V&A into the most prestigious fashion awards in the world, now hosted at the Royal Albert Hall," says Clark. Other landmark moments include a five-day takeover of central Manchester for Chanel, the first consumer and VIP rave for Netflix's Squid Game Season II with a headline set from Peggy Gou, and a desert experience in Las Vegas for the Glenfiddich and Aston Martin collaboration during Formula 1. INCA even created the first-ever rotating stage at the Serpentine Summer Party, in collaboration with artist Es Devlin. Today, they're pushing into traditionally male-dominated sectors like gaming, finance, and automotive. "INCA is breaking ground in traditionally male-dominated industries such as automotive, sports, gaming, finance and tech," says Ferguson. "We're gearing up to produce the highly anticipated NAT Gala during New York Climate Week." Still, the early years weren't without their hurdles. "One of the hardest things was defining what we actually did in a way that resonated with others," Ferguson says. "We had a strong vision, but translating that into something people both understood and were prepared to pay for was a process of trial and error. We overcame it by being open to experimentation and not being afraid to fail. That willingness to try, learn, and iterate became one of our biggest strengths." Clark reflects on a different kind of challenge. "One of our biggest challenges was leading clients to be brave, but feel confident in their decisions," she says. "We have been super lucky to work with people like Anya Hindmarch, Natalie Massanet, Yana Peel and Caroline Rush, who did not need to be pushed, they all asked for that bravery, they asked for us to break ground and celebrated the results." Unlike many agencies, INCA didn't rely on investors to get started. "We didn't raise any external funding," Ferguson explains. "Instead, we started with a small loan from Charlotte's friend and a lot of resourcefulness. It meant making hard choices early on, but it also gave us complete control over our direction and values." Clark adds: "Nina has said it all, the loan was for three weeks and was for £2,000. That's all the money that we have ever borrowed." With any long-standing business comes inevitable setbacks. "There were so many, and they were rarely easy," says Ferguson. "But we handled them with grace and a positive mindset. We had a deep belief in ourselves and in the way we were doing things. Being a tight-knit team helped immensely, we were each other's support systems and constantly reminded one another that when a door closed, there was always another way through." Clark adds: "Failure and setbacks have been the source of our greatest learnings. Being humble and quick to act when something is not going according to plan is a key part of successfully executing live events. We have built a team of phenomenally resourceful people that have the ability to pivot in multiple situations, even when a hurricane hits, when a terrorist threat grounds the skies to a halt for an international event or just when the client changes their minds on site." Looking back on their journey, both women offer advice to those hoping to scale a business to seven figures. "In today's world, almost anything is possible," says Ferguson. "But you can't do it alone, your team will define your success, so choose your partners and collaborators wisely. Invest in people who share your vision and values. Trust yourself, especially your instincts. That inner voice will guide you through the noise and take you further than you might expect." Clark adds: "Focus on your product or service, hone in on your perfect delivery, refine, refine and refine. Over deliver and stand out from the crowd. Be brave, get it right and hire people who know more than you do in any specialist field. Learn and be open to new ideas, yet always draw your focus back to your core goal that has to be more than just a turn over. Make a plan and be prepared to deviate from it in order to get to your goal and profit is king, not just turn over. Give back to your team, your clients and those who need help the most. From our experience it has only served us well."
BBC News
13-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Suffolk woman thought BEM honour letter was jury summons
A community library manager who was awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) first thought the letter had been a jury summons. Charlotte Clark, 47, has worked at Suffolk Libraries in Southwold and Reydon for the past 22 is one of several people in the county named in the King's Birthday Honours list for her services to literacy and to her said she hoped the recognition showed how much the library service could offer people. "I was shocked, first of all, I thought it was a jury duty summons, and then I was really emotional when I realised what it was," she explained."I'm just so pleased and so surprised."Ms Clark was awarded the BEM after leading numerous initiatives at Southwold Library that still remained at the heart of the also ran a number of groups and activities for people of all ages, and she was described as an "outstanding character" in the honours."I hope [I was given the BEM] just to acknowledge what the library can do for you - it's not just books... we do so much more, and I take this personal nomination as acknowledgement for the library as well," she said."I've only really told my parents, and they thought something was wrong because I was so surprised and emotional. They're very, very pleased." Nick Hulme, chief executive of East Suffolk and North Essex Foundation Trust, was also appointed Commander of the British Empire (CBE)."I was surprised," he said."I've had a long career in the health service, and I don't think I've done anything particularly special."It made me think about all the amazing people I've worked with over 45 years in the health service, and it is as much their award as it is mine."He said it was the work ongoing behind the scenes at the NHS that made the "biggest difference" to people's lives. Other people in Suffolk awarded honours include:Andrew Francis Harston, regional director of Associated British Ports, is appointed MBE for services to portsAudrey Ludwig, founder of Suffolk Law Centre, is appointed MBE for services to Legal Aid in SuffolkMark Stephen Bills, lately director of Gainsborough's House, is appointed MBE for services to art, to museums and to the community in Suffolk Andrew James Richardson, chair of Food and Drink Wales Board, is appointed MBE for services to the food and drink sectorMargaret Jane Chilestone, group lead volunteer at 1st Red Lodge Scout Group, is awarded BEM for services to young peopleJanet Humphrey, police staff at Suffolk Police, is awarded BEM for services to the community in SuffolkRussell George Ling, is awarded BEM for services to the community in OtleySusan Alexandra Price, chief coach of West Suffolk Group and Suffolk County Chair, Riding for the Disabled, is awarded BEM for services to people with disabilitiesPaul William Snelling, Scout leader at 1st Bures Scouting Group, is awarded BEM for services to young peopleThe Lady Clare Amabel Margaret, Lord-Lieutenant of Suffolk, is appointed Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Have you ever used financial advice for investing? Here's how readers voted
A survey from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found that 8.6% of adults had received regulated financial advice on investments, pensions or retirement planning in the past year. That worked out to the equivalent of 4.6 million UK adults, based on the 17,950 participants in the watchdog's 2024 Financial Lives survey, published last week. This figure was only slightly higher from the 8.3% — the equivalent of 4.4 million adults — that said they had received regulated financial advice in the FCA's 2022 survey. The FCA's survey also found that 39% of UK adults — the equivalent of 21.2 million — held investments in 2024. Excluding those with an investment property or other real investments (such as wine, art or jewellery) but with no other investment products, this proportion fell to 35%, which was down from 37% in 2022. In addition, 61% of adults with £10,000 or more in investible assets held all or at least three-quarters of these assets in cash. Read more: UK 'bargain' stocks that have outperformed the market long-term In the regulator's report detailing the findings from the survey, FCA director for cross‑cutting policy and strategy Charlotte Clark said that the watchdog was "working to reform the regulatory framework for advice and guidance, which will ultimately help consumers have access to the help, guidance and advice that they need, when they need it, at a cost they can afford, to make informed decisions". Tom Selby, head of retirement policy at AJ Bell (AJB.L), said: "Sensible reform in this area is desperately needed to boost access to regulated advice and allow providers to offer more useful guidance to customers. This should in turn result in higher levels of engagement, better financial decisions by savers and ultimately good outcomes – the central aim of the FCA's consumer duty." Earlier this week, we asked Yahoo Finance UK readers if they had ever received financial advice to help with investing. We received 509 votes, with 28% of respondents saying they had, while 65% had not and 7% were unsure. Read more: Bitcoin price hits all-time high above $111,000 UK government borrowing hits £20.2bn in April More interest rate cuts in doubt after surprise inflation surgeSign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Have you ever used financial advice for investing? Here's how readers voted
A survey from the UK's Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found that 8.6% of adults had received regulated financial advice on investments, pensions or retirement planning in the past year. That worked out to the equivalent of 4.6 million UK adults, based on the 17,950 participants in the watchdog's 2024 Financial Lives survey, published last week. This figure was only slightly higher from the 8.3% — the equivalent of 4.4 million adults — that said they had received regulated financial advice in the FCA's 2022 survey. The FCA's survey also found that 39% of UK adults — the equivalent of 21.2 million — held investments in 2024. Excluding those with an investment property or other real investments (such as wine, art or jewellery) but with no other investment products, this proportion fell to 35%, which was down from 37% in 2022. In addition, 61% of adults with £10,000 or more in investible assets held all or at least three-quarters of these assets in cash. Read more: UK 'bargain' stocks that have outperformed the market long-term In the regulator's report detailing the findings from the survey, FCA director for cross‑cutting policy and strategy Charlotte Clark said that the watchdog was "working to reform the regulatory framework for advice and guidance, which will ultimately help consumers have access to the help, guidance and advice that they need, when they need it, at a cost they can afford, to make informed decisions". Tom Selby, head of retirement policy at AJ Bell (AJB.L), said: "Sensible reform in this area is desperately needed to boost access to regulated advice and allow providers to offer more useful guidance to customers. This should in turn result in higher levels of engagement, better financial decisions by savers and ultimately good outcomes – the central aim of the FCA's consumer duty." Earlier this week, we asked Yahoo Finance UK readers if they had ever received financial advice to help with investing. We received 509 votes, with 28% of respondents saying they had, while 65% had not and 7% were unsure. Read more: Bitcoin price hits all-time high above $111,000 UK government borrowing hits £20.2bn in April More interest rate cuts in doubt after surprise inflation surge
The Guardian
19-03-2025
- Health
- The Guardian
The world is getting noiser, and it's making us ill. I've certainly played my part
The sound of the penny dropping was so loud it hurt. This was upon learning how noise knackers you, mentally and physically. Charlotte Clark, a professor of environmental epidemiology, didn't put it quite like that, but I heard her loud and clear. She points out that our emotional response to sound is an aspect of our fight-or-flight response, evolved to get us up to speed when danger announces itself. A big noise equals big danger, possibly. Back in the day I suppose this might have amounted to a lion roaring, or an angry neighbour clubbing the door to your cave, swearing vengeance about nicking his kindling or something. I can't think of many other loud noises our ancestors would have had to endure. Thunder must have scared the bejesus out of them – but otherwise, when it came to noise, I think they had it rather easy. I'd like to see them give modern life a try. The noise, the sheer racket, the crashes, bangs and wallops, the engines, the yelling, the bings and bongs of phone alerts. Oh, we're alert, all right – don't worry about that. We are all, as my Jewish friends might put it, on shpilkes. On shpilkes all day, every day. And no wonder, because into our ears all these cursed sounds go, torrents of them rushing into our amygdalas, the bit of our brains responsible for deciding whether the panic button needs to be pressed. And this, logically enough, as Prof Clark told James Gallagher of the BBC World Service, means: 'Your heart rate goes up, your nervous system starts to kick in and you release stress hormones.' Equally logically, this isn't good for you. 'If you're exposed for several years, your body's reacting like that all the time,' she says. 'It increases your risk of developing things like heart attacks, high blood pressure, stroke and type 2 diabetes.' I knew I found noise annoying; I didn't realise it might be making me ill. If I was Prof Clark, to hammer this point home I'd assemble a huge tower of Marshall speakers and boom out the message: the din is destroying us. The planet needs shushing. Our world's getting noisier. Population growth and urbanisation are factors. Literally, as well as metaphorically, we're shouting over each other. And I don't discount my own contribution. I'm told my voice carries a long way, at a volume inversely proportionate to the importance of what I have to say. Furthermore, I've had the temerity to boom out from televisions and radios all these years. Sorry about that. Noise begets more noise. It's as if we're all in one of those bars or restaurants that, like most, has dispensed with soft furnishings. Everywhere is wood and metal. Even when these places are quiet, they're noisy. The scrape of a chair goes right through you. Then the people arrive and it gets really noisy, really quickly. It only needs a handful of people to raise their voices a little and everyone else has to raise theirs. The shouting match is under way. Before long, the cave dwellers deep inside us are losing their minds. I say bring back the carpets and the curtains. We need the chintz back in play to help us pipe down. I acknowledge the possibility that all this is part of getting old. I don't recall feeling this way when I was younger, at least consciously – maybe the caveman inside me had his fingers in his ears even then. But as far as the conscious me was concerned, I think noise spoke of life, of energy, of things happening, of excitement, of possibilities. It's a strange young man indeed who goes round saying that all he really wants is a bit of peace and quiet. That's the kind of thing my grandparents said, although by then, to a lesser or greater extent, they were miserably hard of hearing – that most unwelcome late-life access to a little more silence. And it's no wonder that's how we end up, given the hammering our ears and brains have to take all our lives. I'll shut up now. I've done enough shouting. Adrian Chiles is a broadcaster, writer and Guardian columnist
