Makers + Mavericks 2020
Each year we compile a list of the one hundred+ people that got us to utter those words ‘I wish I had done that, made that, invented that, thought like that, changed that’. These are the amazing people who have shone the brightest for us in 2020. A year, unlike any other.
Makers of the Year.
All those who made PPE during Lockdown
To all those makers, big and small, who stopped what they normally did and started making PPE for our key workers here in the U.K. In our country’s hour of need, you were there for them. Thank you.
Mavericks of the Year.
Ugur Sahin + Ozlem Tureci
The couple who came up with the vaccine
In only 11 months, against all the odds, these married scientists developed a vaccine to help fight Covid-19 pandemic that has shaped so much of 2020. They have given us all hope for 2021. Thank you.
Well-Being.
Woebot
Mental Health Chatbot
Infused artificial intelligence with the empathy and expertise of a therapist has come together to create a powerful mental health solution that can reach millions in the palm of their hands.
Payal Kadakia
CEO & Co-Founder of ClassPass Online Fitness Classes
With this super simple app you can live stream classes from around the U.K. in real time with professional teachers in a large number of different physical activity disciplines to suit you.
Cath Pendleton
The Merthyr Mermaid
Cath Pendleton, an NHS worker from Merthyr Tydfil, had a dream. A big dream. An unusual dream. She wanted to swim a mile in the coldest continent in the world. Antarctica. Brrrrilliant.
BetterHelp
E-counselling Platform
An online platform that makes professional counselling accessible, affordable, convenient — so for anyone who struggles with life’s challenges it is possible to get help, anytime, anywhere.
Zoom
Video Calling Platform
No one knew what it was, or how to use it at the start of the year. But by March it had become the standout video calling platform of 2020. Work From Home was made possible by this super simple way of talking to each other.
SuperBetter
App
A game that is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities to live epic lives that are full of joy and challenge and powered by strong social relationships, positive emotions and purpose.
Tricia Hersey
The Nap Ministry Sleep Advocates
Resting is productive. We all need to take the time to just rest from time to time. In today’s world of constant ‘go’ it is a form of resistance and reparations for people to go and take a nap when they need one.
Yoga with Adriene
Online Yoga
Adriene provides an easy way to re-centre yourself with yoga, no matter your skill level. Her simple to follow routines, get right to the heart of the power of yoga and its restorative powers. Namaste.
TelaDoc
Health App
If you are looking for the right care when you need it, TelaDoc can set you up with a virtual care visit that will seek to answer all of your questions and point you in the right direction of what you need next.
Dr Joe Dispenza
Brain Hack
Dr Joe Dispenza, looks to free the human mind from its chains and limits to allow cooperation and honour in all humans, he shares his wisdom through his YouTube series and online courses.
John Foley
Peloton Bike
The clear winner of the pandemic workout equipment, John Foley has created something that not only helps you get fit but gives you a real sense of purpose and community as you do so.
Jen Batchelor
Founder of Kin
A different approach to wellness and drinks, using the power of natural remedies to highlight a person’s inner power, a beautiful way to take you back to a good centre of homostasis.
Michael Acton Smith
Founder of Calm
In a year that at times was very lacking in calm, Michael’s work with Calm has come into itself, it gave people a space to pause from the chaos around and reconnect with themselves. It got over 5 million downloads in 2020.
Purpose Driven.
Jacinda Ardern
Prime Minister of New Zealand
Being the leader of the first country to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic, Jacinda has proven herself to be one of the most effective and compassionate world leaders. She went from leader to role model.
Holly Fulton, Bethany Williams + Phoebe English
Emergency Designer Network
In March 2020, London-based designers Holly Fulton, Bethany Williams and Phoebe English united to form the Emergency Designer Network (EDN) that connected with companies around the UK to create PPE for our keyworkers.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg
For 13 years she served as a Supreme Court Justice before she passed away earlier this year. She battled relentlessly for the rights of those who were otherwise overlooked. A true powerhouse. R.I.P.
Marcus Rashford
British Footballer
A one-man band. Marcus single handedly started a campaign to ensure that no child that needed one went without a free school meal and to end childhood hunger across the UK, to date he has donated 4.2 million meals to those in need.
Farhana Yamin
Climate Change Lawyer
The British climate lawyer, author and activist who founded ontrack0, the inspiring decisive action on climate change to get on track for a zero-emissions future. The polluter is not above the law.
Yu Kongjian
Urban Planner
The innovative architect who is turning cities into giant sponges, working with nature to channel away rainwater to avoid city flooding and use the excess water to supply the city. Nature has the answers.
Kirsty Loveday
Love Drinks
Named the Woman of the Year by the drinks business awards, Kirsty Loveday continues to be at the forefront of the drink industry and looks to promote a happy and healthy hospitality industry.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
U.S. Representative
From playing Twitch streams to raise money for her constituents, to taking you on an Instagram Live Tour of Congress, AOC is definitely redefining what it means to be a politician in the best way possible.
Stone Locals
Patagonia Film
The story of the stone locals, the people that keep the soul of climbing and nurture it as the sport evolves. Another beautiful feature-length film from the mavericks at Patagonia. We need more businesses with a soul.
Tru Colors
Brewing Peace Through Prosperity
A brand with a clear purpose. Tru Colors look to break down barriers, create unity and inspire prosperity and peace through both their products, shared stories and their incredible mission work.
Creativity.
Graham Fink
Multimedia Artist
Multimedia artist Graham Fink is recognised as one of the world’s most respected, and highly awarded creative minds. He has worked in photography, film, painting and technology. A true maverick.
Cryptopunks
Creative Technologists
The CryptoPunks are 10,000 uniquely generated characters. No two are exactly alike, and each one of them can be officially owned by a single person on the Ethereum blockchain. Art goes digital.
Grace Weaver
Artist
An American Artist based in Brooklyn, NY, her figurative paintings are notable for the specifically millennial perspective she brings to the form. They are simultaneously an embodiment and a parody of life in 2018.
Cinco Solidos
Architects
A creative studio based in Columbia dedicated to the structuring of interior design and architectural projects, whose multidisciplinary team seeks to perfectly integrate the 5 creative variables.
Bong Joon-ho
South Korean Film Director
Making history this year as the first director of an international film to win best picture and best director at the Oscars, Bong Joon-Ho’s incredible speech about the world that awaits in international cinema.
Gregory D Bunch
Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Chicago Booth
One of the most visionary, astute and insightful business thinkers on the planet. He believes business can be a place for human flourishing and where community comes together to help each other, even in VUCA times.
Simon Porte Jacquemus
Fashion Designer
His incredible eye has built an iconic brand. Images, his book released this year, is a collection of photos gathered over a decade, shot entirely on iPhone, shows the journey from unknown to world famous. It’s sold out. Of course.
Bernadette Jiwa
Author
A world renowned storytelling expert, her philosophy helps people to harness their stories to build trust and connection, so they can influence, inspire and impact on the people that they serve.
Kodj
Founder of Fuji + Hakone
As well as working for the creative mavericks Ustwo, Kodj has successfully launched the first drop from his Japanese-American inspired clothing brand that launched earlier on this year.
Mary Spio
Founder + CEO of CEEK VR
An accomplished novelist and deep space engineer, Mary Spio has created technology and content solutions for global titans such as Facebook and Microsoft using her revolutionary CEEK VR technology.
Simone Lia
Illustrator
An eclectic artist and writer and the creator of the weekly Simone Lia comic strip in The Observer. Her debut illustrated fiction novel is described as “a philosophical essay on friendship”.
Ajaz Ahmed
CEO of AKQA
He saw the power of the internet early. Since 1994 Ajaz, has been helping brands connect with consumers as the founder of AKQA, the most-awarded digital ideas agency in the world. A true maverick.
Depesh Mandalia
Founder, CEO SM Commerce
Depesh is one the world’s most prominent Facebook marketing experts helping business scale-up fast through expert marketing execution in the online world by teaching the power of brands and their remarkable stories.
Nick Pumphrey
Photographer
A U.K. based photographer whose work during the pandemic focusing on his love for the sea and the freedom that it can give for even the smallest of moments was both heartfelt and up-lifting.
David Perell
Writer
Founder of the successful Write of Passage writing school, this year has seen some incredible ideas come from this young maverick from Twitter storms to long-form essays that go viral to podcast host. He sure can write.
Miranda West
Founder of DO Book Co.
Miranda has over two decades worth of experience in the publishing world. Founder of DO Book Co. Miranda works to publish some of the most creative and innovative books that are out there in the market.
Money.
Andre Cronje
DeFi Architect at Ethereum
Yearn Finance launched without any money and became a cult billion dollar protocol with Andre writing the code by himself. If DEFI is changing the financial sector, Andre is the architect with the blueprint all in his head.
Meltem Demirors
Chief Strategy Officer of CoinShares
An established veteran of digital asset investing, Meltem draws on her substantial experience and widespread influence to accelerate growth and understanding of all things bitcoin.
Vitalik Buterin
Co-founder of Ethereum
He is co-founder of Ethereum, a decentralised, open-source blockchain that features smart contract functionality. If Bitcoin is the store of value, Ethereum, is the engine of change that is coming to money.
Gavin Wood
Creator of Polkadot
Former research scientist for Microsoft and co-founder of Ethereum, he is now working on Web 3.0. Polkadot’s mission is to get the world’s blockchains to work together at speed and scale.
Hayden Adams
Founder at Uniswap
Inventor of a decentralised protocol for trading and automated liquidity provision on Ethereum. With Uniswap, he aims to provide a financial marketplace that is open and available to all. It is now the world’s biggest.
Cathie Wood
Founder, CEO + CIO at Ark Invest
With a focus on bringing innovation to investment, Cathie has disrupted the investment market to bring solutions and help change the way the world views investment and lead to a more sustainable future.
Katie Haun
General partner at Andreessen Horowitz
As an independent director at Coinbase, she has testified before both houses of Congress on the intersection of technology and regulation. If she invests in your project, it’s probably a world-changing idea.
Raoul Pal
CEO + Co-Founder at Real Vision Crypto
With Real Vision Crypto, He works on the idea that ‘signal vs noise’ is so important. Most people focus on the noise which means that they miss the signal when it comes to money and the future of currency.
Ivan On Tech
Sweden-based YouTuber
Go. Go. Go. His daily YouTube videos cover all aspects of blockchain and explain them in a way that makes them completely accessible to all audiences. His academy has become the go to place to learn how to code for the blockchain.
333 Crypto
DEFI Guru
DEFI is changing money. And this YouTuber loves DEFI. He works on behalf of his community to help them understand the future stars of this fast changing world. He mixes teaching you about how to be a good human and good at DEFI.
Laura Shin
Crypto Journalist + Podcast producer and Host Unchained
The first mainstream reporter to cover crypto assets full time she is also the podcast host of the informative and popular Unchained and Unconfirmed podcasts and is working on a book about the history of crypto space.
Michael J Saylor
Chairman, CEO MicroStrategy
He became the champion and pioneer of businesses using Bitcoin has a store of value as a protection against deflation. He views money as energy and believes Bitcoin is the most efficient way to store that energy.
Penny Furniss
Creative Director at thisisabout.com
Penny is a serial entrepreneur and fellow at Downing College, Cambridge University. She got mixed up with Crypto in 2014 helping the co-founders of Ethereum to find their first hacker house. She was there at the start.
Tech.
Breathe 99
Mask
With an award-winning design with an ergonomic face-piece, protective filters, and breathable overlays, the B2 Mask brings industrial-grade protection into your daily life.
Magí Galindo
First 3D Printer
At the start of the pandemic, Magí and his team were the first to create a 3D printed respirator that was able to be made on an industrial scale and dispatched to hospitals around Spain.
KP
Coder
His idea is that the world will be a better place when people’s ideas are allowed to fly free without the constraints of code barriers placed upon them. His work opens up the world to non-technical people to dip their toes in.
Wolfgang Emmerich
Track and Trace App
The Track and Trace App was quite literally a life-saver, pulling technology from around the world it was the most advanced app of its kind, the work that Wolfgang and his team did meant it was literally able to help save lives.
Apple Watch 6
Smartwatch
Apple has once again changed the game with their new Apple Watch, with the new features that can monitor blood oxygen levels and it truly is a breath of fresh innovation on your wrist.
Cradlewise Smart Crib
Baby Crib
Around 60% of 6 months olds have difficulty getting to sleep, based on the baby’s sleep schedule this crib is able to know whether to rock the infant back to sleep when they wake up or whether to gently help them wake up.
Nike Air Zoom Alphafly
Running Shoes
These shoes have helped break records and caused a fair share of controversy since they were released, creating what they describe as an energy battery, these shoes are really changing the rules of the athletic game.
Lexon Oblio
Phone Charger
Not only does this charger wireless charge up your phone device but it also gives it a blast of UVC light which kills up to 99% of the bacteria that can be found on the phone’s surface.
Krisp
Noise Cancelling App
This app which can be used with any video calling software, can tune itself in to the sound of your voice compared to back ground sounds so it is able to cancel out the unwanted noise in your call. Pretty neat.
The Off Switch
Now, we can’t claim that this one is a new invention but this does seem to be the year that more people have figured out the true power of the off-switch to just take some time away from it all and switch off and regenerate.
Podcasts.
Field Recordings
Personal Journals
A podcast where audio-makers stand silently in fields and capture the sounds that they hear around them(or things that could be broadly interpreted as fields). Oddly moving and very peaceful this short snippets of life are worth listening to.
The DO Lectures
With Gav Thompson
Gav Thompson chats with some of the most interesting people across a variety of industries about how they have succeeded and overcome adversity. Inspirational stories that feel like having a chat with friends over a cup of tea.
Start Up
From Gimlet Media hosted by Alex Blumberg and Lisa Chow
Ever wondered where to begin with your start-up? Who do you go to when you have questions? Well, Alex Blumberg did too, so he decided to start his own and answer those questions along the way to make it easier for the rest of us.
Expanded
With Lacy Phillips
No matter how you feel about manifestation, the podcast sheds interesting light on difficulties you may have faced. Lacy Phillip’s takes a fresh approach to self-improvement with a range of interesting guests.
The Two Shot Podcast
With Craig Parkinson
A podcast about creative people and their lives. Each week our host Craig Parkinson sits down for a chat with a creative soul to discuss what makes them tick. Sometimes heartbreaking, often hilarious, always insightful.
Creative Boom Podcast
Hosted by Creative Boom Founder Katy Cowan
Full of fun and honest conversations with creative people, the host, Katy Cowan learns the passions and secrets from some of the most relevant people in the creative world in 2020 in the first season of this new podcast.
The Chase Jarvis Show
With Chase Jarvis
There’s a common misconception that artists have a monopoly on creativity. This podcast looks at the idea that every act of making anything in any profession or career, is a creative one.
The FTX Podcast
With Tristan Yver
The FTX Podcast tells an account of the innovators, builders, and idealists working on the financial system of the future.Tristan Yver looks into the stories of emerging and established companies in the crypto and blockchain space.
How To Fail
With Elizabeth Day
Elizabeth Day takes a look at how to celebrate when things just don’t go quite right, which as we all know can happen, and asks what we can learn from those failures and how they can teach us to succeed better.
The Joe Rogan Experience
With Joe Rogan
This year, true podcasting maverick Joe Rogan signed an exclusive deal with Spotify. Yup, that is a pretty big deal. When everyone says you can’t go long with podcasts, Joe proves them wrong with every interview.
Black Lives Matter.
Reni Eddo-Lodge
Author
Award-winning author, podcaster and one of Forbes’ European 30 under 30 lists, there is no doubt that Reni is one of the most relevant writers around today. Her words truly hit home.
Devin Allen
Photographer
Baltimore-based photographer, Devin has been at the frontline capturing the human moments of Black Lives Matter Protests. The raw power of his work has meant he has often featured on the cover of Time magazine.
Ava DuVernay
Filmmaker
The trailblazing filmmaker has spoken out about her belief that the industry needs to have the stories of diverse voices told and is fighting to make sure that these projects made.
Solomon O.B.
Poet + Musician
His powerful speech at the Black Lives Matter protest in Bristol touched the hearts of many. A strong believer in the power of the voice, he uses his to spread the message of equality and justice.
Sayce Holmes Lewis
Founder and Director of Mentivity
With a strong focus on support young people reach their visions and goals, Sayce has created a safe space for youth to speak out about their passions and to mentor them to get where they can go.
Edward Enninful
Editor in Chief British Vogue + Editor of European Vogue
He has been very vocal about what an easy decision it was to take a political activism stance with issues of the magazine this year. It has an incredible reach and to use that voice for good and to evoke positive change is the right thing to do.
Ib Kamara
Fashion Designer for i-d magazine
In his work, Ib Kamara purposefully explores and subverts stereotypes, especially those relating to the idea of masculinity and the image of black men. His daring style throws the rulebook to the wind.
Rhea Dillon
Writer
Using a variety of mediums, she examines her intrigue of the ‘rules of representation’ as a device to undermine contemporary Western culture and the practice of bringing forward equality led-perspectives on Black bodies.
William Adoasi
Entrepreneur
Founder of Vitae watches, with his profits, his mission is to ensure that some of the worlds most difficult to reach youth in countries like sub-Saharan Africa are able to get the mentorship and support to succeed.
Nadine Ijewere
Photographer
Inspired by the beauty and heritage of the African women she was surrounded by, her images are making sure that these fashion styles get the recognition and attention that they deserve.
Sophia Thakur
Spoken Word Poet
Constantly pushing the boundaries no matter the stage that she is on, she is passionate about inspiring others to tell their story and to give a voice to the issues and politics that she believes are important in this day and age.
Working From Home.
Jake Lea-Wilson, Jess Lea-Wilson + Kiri Pritchard McLean
Comedy at the Covid Arms
During lockdown, if you were looking for a good laugh and to forget about the state of the world, you needed to look no further than the incredible Comedy at the Covid Arms all organised from home by these three incredible people.
James Sills
Sofa Singers
His sofa singers during the course of lockdown were a source and joy and support to so many people, he perfectly capture the moment of needing to be a part of a community. During lockdown, he went global.
Nicer Tuesdays
Virtual monthly creative conference — started during the pandemic
Creative conferences, breakfasts and meetings all seemed to go out of the window when the pandemic hit, but Nicer Tuesdays were amongst those who managed to find a way to really make it work with their monthly conferences.
Ellie Ewart
Surfers Against Sewage — The Pupil Power Assembly
With a Zoom class that had over 10,000 attendees present, it is safe to say that Ellie Ewart had the biggest class on her hands when Surfers Against Sewage adapted to provide their learnings online for those wanting to get involved.
David Shrigley
Lockdown drawings
‘Lockdown Drawings’ is a new body of work created by British artist David Shrigley during the UK’s coronavirus lockdown in spring 2020 that were able to be view in an online gallery for visitors to admire. Pretty clever huh.
Samrin Nosrat
American Chef
The hospitality industry was pretty hard hit by the pandemic and many people were forced to re-evaluate how they did things, chef Samrin Nosrat’s solution was to help teach people how to cook easy, affordable meals at home.
Tom Herbert
Long Table
During Lockdown, The Long Table a community-based kitchen launched nine kitchens in the South-West and delivered more than 10,000 meals to the public: affordable ones to those who can pay, and free meals to those who can’t.
Rich Schefren
Writer
He wrote report after report that went viral. Then one day he stopped. He stepped away. But now the guru is back. With his online platform ‘Strategic Profits’ the master of online marketing is sharing the gold again.
Keyboard CEO
Mike Coulter, David Hieatt — The DO Lectures
This course was written and launched live during Lockdown. It went on to be the most successful online course ever for The DO Lectures. It showed how learning to write can transform your business. Timely.
Environment.
David Attenborough
Environmentalist
In a year when one of the world’s most famous environmental activists was unable to spread his message from remote parts of the world, he found a way to convey his message even more effectively from home.
Hege Saebjornsen
IKEA’s Country Sustainability Manager
As a key member of the ‘People and Planet Positive’ strategy, she is actively involved in supporting the bold ambition of IKEA becoming a 100% Circular and Climate Positive business.
Mark Aink
Founder of Native Circles
With his creative accelerator company Native Circles, he aims to help people and companies reconnect with the nature around them and own internal nature to build a thriving culture that will help support the future of our planet.
Pangaia
Clothing Brand
A materials science company on a mission to save our environment. They
creating essential products from innovative tech and bio-engineered materials. They are starting a movement. Designing a better future.
Chamath Palihapitiya — Social Capital
Social Investors
At its core, Social Capital is an organisation that identifies hard problems facing the environment will look to implement a solution to that issue through investing, buying and building until they can reach the solution to the problem.
Kate Raworth
Author
Is there an alternative to the relentless pressure that we put on the environment? With her unique ‘Doughnut Economy’ mindset Kate Raworth looks at how economics could make for a better planet Earth.
Chris Herd
Blogger
A frank look at all aspects of the future of work and what those mean for the areas that we live in and the environment as a whole. One thing is for sure, whatever happens, things are going to be different.
Welsh Government
Planting National Forest
In an attempt to protect future generations from the devastation that the flooding across Wales earlier this year caused, a forest that will stretch the breadth of the country is being planted to help rebalance nature and offer protection.
Matt Barnard
Plenty Founder
Plenty is working to bring the world local, fresh, healthy food everywhere driven by a full-stack software, machine learning, hardware technology solution that enables a 20x reduction in the length of the food system supply chain.
KissHouse
Housing Developers
There is a better way to do housing. Everyone deserves brilliant housing regardless of their circumstance, housing that is good for you, that makes you happier and healthier and is good for the environment.
Philippe Pouletty
Carbios Founder
A green chemistry company with a focus on discovering and developing enzymatic bioprocesses to reinvent the lifecycle of plastics. They can deconstruct any PET plastic waste into its basic components.
Product.
Hagoromo Fulltouch Chalk
Japanese Chalk
The legendary Japanese chalk with a cult following among mathematicians has had a revival amongst those who never usually use the item, described as a chalk that writes itself, there is no crumbling as you push it into the board.
Jennifer + Gina Vericella
Founders of The Bra Lab — interchangeable bras
The bra. Reimagined, these two sisters have gone back to the very basics and made the most customisable, comfortable bra on the market with its very own patent attached.
Nick Dutton
Founder of Mami Wata
Nick started Mami Wata because of love and belief. A love for surfing, design and Africa. Their brand values centre around keeping manufacturing local, strengthening surf tourism and surf therapy of local children.
Dafin
Swimming Fin
Developed by Andy Cochran, with input from world-renowned pros in Hawaii such as Mark Cunningham and Brian Keaulana, Cochran developed his idea for a high-performance swim fin about 10 years ago.
Ichizawa Shinzaburo Hanpu
Handmade Bags
Kyoto, the city of traditional Japanese arts and crafts, is home to Ichizawa Shizaburo Hanpu a company which has been making expertly crafted canvas bags coveted by artisans and labourers for over a century.
Daylights Elite
Blue blocker Glasses
For a lot of us nowadays, a large part of our lives are spent looking at a screen of one sort or another, and that isn’t ideal for our eyes, these glasses are the perfect solution to that as they block out the extra blue light.
Alberto Candiani
First bio stretch fabric
Creator of a world first. A micro-plastic free biodegradable jean. It comes from the earth and it will return to the earth. We are proud to work with Alberto, the Candiani family and one of the greenest mills in the denim world.
Slow and Sow
Sustainable Hand Dyed Product
A mother-daughter duo, using natural dyes, dead-stock and vintage fabrics to create custom, small-batch bandanas, headscarves and scrunchies to wear and cherish forever.
Olly Davey
Founder of Heartwood Saunas
After sport there is no better feeling than a sauna. That was the driver for Olly to start his own company to build beautiful sauna cabins that delivered that feeling of well-being to your garden.
Niwaki Tripod Ladder
Ladder
This tripod ladder is the epitome of classic Japanese design, a timeless addition to the gardening equipment with a versatile. It is one that looks too great to just keep away in the cupboard.
Dom Bridges
Founder of Haeckels
Dom believes in the power of the ocean and the fruits that can be sourced from her shores. He believes in an honesty first approach That the team and customers live and learn the power of seaweed and nature together.
Duck Ceramics
Ceramics
Duck Ceramics is an independent pottery studio run by Alice Duck. Originally founded in a small attic room in my Bristol flat, she now makes and finishes each distinctive piece by hand in her Brighton studio.
Sport + Adventure.
Anna McNuff
British Runner
After running the equivalent of 90 marathons across the British Isles barefoot in an attempt to inspire young women to reach for their goals, she had a lot of personal learning along the way too.
Lachlan Morton
Australian road cyclist.
Lachlan has spent this year trying to encourage people to take the plunge and get into road cycling and to find the fun in it all. Rapha beautifully documents his journey and his message.
Kobe Bryant
American Basketball Player
A giant in the basketball world, there was no-one like him for his energy, talent and dedication to the game. He stood for honour and loyalty and his loss was felt internationally.
Alexander Megos
Second Person to Climb 9c
As only the second person in the world to clim 9c, Alexander Megos is somewhat of a legend in the climbing world, his journey to dizzying heights is captured beautifully in the inspiring ‘Bibliographie’ film.
Sophie Hellyer
Founder of Rise Fierce. Ambassador for Dryrobe + All Birds
Rise Fierce exists to build female centred cold water communities. It aims to empower women through kinship and wild water swimming. The transformative power of the cold water on the mind is one that cannot be ignored.
Kevin Sinfield
Rugby League Player
From the 1st December 2020, Kevin Sinfield undertook a marathon a day for 7 days in support of his former teammate who suffers from Motor Neurone disease. Him and his team raised an incredible £2.5 million pounds.
Joe Wicks
The Body Coach
Joe Wicks, the P.E. teacher of the nation, took it upon himself to make sure that during lockdown kids and parents alike were getting the exercise they needed. An incredible £10 million was raised for the NHS through his endeavour.
Beau Miles
Backyard Adventurer
After spending a lifetime of exploring the world, 2020 turned Beau Miles into more of a backyard adventurer, he worked 90km to work, built a canoe paddle out of scavenged scraps. His infectious thirst for adventure couldn’t be quenched.
Gareth Reynolds
Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge for MS Society
Launched on Saturday 12th December, Gareth Reynolds, began a solo rowing adventure across the Atlantic from Pembrokeshire to raise money for the MS Society in the UK. A pretty impressive feat.
Music.
Dan Bettridge
Singer-songwriter
A son of rural Wales, growing up in the seaside town of Ogmore-by-Sea, Dan Bettridge is a singer-songwriter whose output defies rigid classification. His beautiful music featured in our Black Friday Makers video this year.
Ella Hohnen-Ford
Vocalist
Ella is carving out her place in London’s vibrant improvised music scene. Equally at home as a lyricist, performer and composer, Ella appears in a wide variety of musical projects, from folk and free music to traditional jazz.
River Matthews
Singer-songwriter
River Matthews is a soulful English singer/songwriter who performed an incredible live set at our Live Makers and Mavericks Event back in October that gave the whole team goosebumps.
Jas Kayser
Drummer
A 24-year-old British drummer, she is also a composer and band leader who loves to explore the commonality between jazz and afro-beat based between London and Panama City, she is inspired by both cities in her music.
Melle Brown
DJ
The 23-year-old music producer and professional music DJ performed an incredible set from her home during our online Makers + Mavericks set, she is taking the house music scene by storm.
Koffee
Jamaican reggae artist
Mikayla Simpson, better known as Koffee, is an incredible Jamaican reggae singer, songwriter, rapper, deejay and guitarist from Spanish Town, Jamaica. At only 18 years old, she is already changing the music scene.
A Blaze Of Feather
Musical Group
A new project from artist Mickey Smith and co. this debut album is it’s an exquisite piece of work, with atmospheric instrumentation that recalls the beautiful landscape where this music was recorded.
Michael Kiwanuka
British singer-songwriter
The 2020 Mercury prize winner Micahel Kiwanuka’s third album is a soul-searching masterpiece that hits the heart of the listener hard and leaves you wanting to hit that replay button.
Laura Marling
Singer-songwriter
In her 7th solo album, Song for Our Daughter, there is a fresh maturity to the songs here and her beautiful tones really bring the song’s stories home. Perfect listening for out on a wild walk.
Waka Flocka Flame
American rapper
Fresh out of retirement, the American rapper released his third and latest album in 2020, the first in 2 years. And oh boy it was worth the wait. Here’s hoping this keeps him back in the music scene for good.
King Krule
Singer-songwriter
Archy Ivan Marshall, also known by his stage name King Krule AKA Edgar the Beat-maker, is an English singer, songwriter, musician, rapper and record producer.
Platforms of Influence.
Black Lives Matter
Founded in 2013 by Alicia Garza, Opal Tometi and Patrisse Cullors after the acquittal of the murderer of Trayvon Martin since then they have been fighting to eradicate white supremacy and strengthen black communities.
Duke Stump
Bonfire With Soul
The world doesn’t need another business school, it needs a new school of thought. And through his online course ‘Bonfire with Soul’ he is teaching that there is another path with his unique 12 principles. Harvard, your days are numbered.
Clap For Carers
Founded by Dutch Londoner, Annemarie Plas, clap for carers was a national way to show support and love for those key-workers who were right in the eye of the storm during the pandemic. It continued for weeks and bought people together.
The Social Dilemma
Netflix Documentary
This Netflix documentary explores the dangerous human impact of social networking with the tech experts who helped create them explaining their pitfalls and traps. Fascinating watch.
Schitt’s Creek
Netflix Show
With the know iconic wine bottle scene, they started a conversation about the way that gay relationships were talked about in mainstream television that went far beyond the confines of the TV set.
Tiktok
Social Media Platform
In the toughest of years, laughter has not always been easy to come by. There is one app that has been able to repeatedly hit the right funny bone. TikTok has been that app. For those who need to laugh no matter your age.
African Leadership Academy
Academy
An academy that seeks to transform Africa by developing a powerful network of young leaders who will work together to address Africa’s greatest challenges and to achieve extraordinary social impact.
Pinterest
Social Media Platform
Already one of the most popular social media platforms in the world, this year Pinterest really put itself at the forefront of helping people’s mental health. With a 35% increase in usage the app focused on content that helped people to feel good.
It’s Nice That
Creative Forum
This year has shaken the creative world but It’s Nice That has managed to be a stable forum for creatives during this time from its monthly creative conferences to keeping the creative flowing it has been a Godsend.
YouTube
Video-Sharing Company
There is literally nothing that cannot be found within the wonders of YouTube, a place for anyone to learn anything. In a year of online learning, this was the master teacher.
Netflix
Production Company
This year Netflix has bought us titles ranging from the hard-to-believe Tiger King, to the eye-opening Social Dilemma, in a year where we have been in front of our tv’s more than ever, Netflix has provided some great content.
Andy Hunter
Founder of Bookshop.org
With Bookshop.org Andy is offering the alternative to the Amazon driven world. A place to support local bookstores across the U.K. he is championing the small independent bookstores that are keeping the spirit of reading alive.
Brave New Wales.
Blue Tits
Chill swimmers from St Davids Pembrokeshire
A group that has come together with one shared mission: to create a confident, capable community through cold water swimming and adventures. The only requirements to be a member of this group? A longing for adventure.
Clive Davies
Mayor of Cardigan
From putting free wi-fi around the town, to facilitating the refurbishment of the Skate Park, Clive has been putting the needs of Cardigan’s towns people first and helping the town thrive.
Ellen + Alex
In The Welsh Wind Distillery
When the pandemic hit, it didn’t take long for Ellen and Alex to switch from making incredible craft gins to bulk making hand sanitiser which they distributed for free to key-workers.
Catrin + Osian
Crwst bakery in Cardigan
From Black Lives Matter to Bake at home kits to stave off lockdown bored, Crwst has been at the forefront of issues this year whilst still making their delicious food that keeps the bellies of all who visit very happy.
Maggie Cross
Jewellery Maker
Maggie makes all of her beautiful jewellery in-house here in West Wales after training at The School of Jewellery in Birmingham, her feel-good fun pieces are the perfect addition to any outfit.
Paul Peter Piech
Artist
A new exhibition at the National Library of Wales is celebrating the work of artist and designer Paul Peter Piech, whose linocut posters depict literary heroes including Katherine Mansfield, Emily Brontë and Ted Hughes
Carwyn Adams
Caws Cenarth Cheese
Based in West Wales, for this incredible local cheese maker things looked tough during the first national lockdown but the community rallied together to make sure that they had the support that they needed and now they are thriving again.
Michael Sheen
Actor, Director + Activist
Bringing laughter in the homes of the nation was no mean feat during a national pandemic, but Michael Sheen managed to do just that with his genius BBC TV show ‘Staged’.
Hebron Vineyard
Welsh Organic Vineyard
Since 2010 you would find the Hebron Vineyard, nestled in the Preseli Mountains where the Rolt family run the Welsh Vineyard that makes individually numbered organically produced wine
Gareth Dauncey
Architect
He gave one of the most inspirational talks at this year’s Makers + Mavericks Live Event. Gareth’s view of the world and his vision for working office sheds is truly unique and pioneering.
Huna
Sustainable sleepwear from Ceredigion
Gone are the unflattering designs of women’s sleepwear from the past, this best friend duo based in West Wales are here to take sustainability and comfort to the next level.
Phew.
You made it the bottom of the list. Thank you.
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