The Makers + Mavericks List 2024.
Each year we compile a list of the one hundred+ makers and mavericks that got us to utter the words ‘I wish I had done that, made that, invented that, thought like that, changed that’.
These are the amazing things that have shone the brightest for us over the past twelve months.
MAKER WORD OF THE YEAR.
Grit.
This is what every maker needed in 2024.
To stay in the game. To keep going when things got tough. Because making isn’t just what you do, it’s who you are.
MAVERICK WORD OF THE YEAR.
Awe.
That is what every maverick wanted to create in 2024.
To do something that hasn’t been done. To do what others think impossible. To do something indistinguishable from magic.
ENVIRONMENT.
Liz Ricketts.
Co-Founder of The Or Foundation.
Having witnessed the toxicity of fashion’s disposable culture firsthand, Liz has since been dedicated to transforming the industry.
Adedolapo Boluwatife.
Photographer + Film Maker.
Having learnt that the inability to properly dispose of plastics had led to the flooding he’d personally experienced, he used his art to raise the alarm.
Isabella Tree.
Author + Conservationist.
Inherited a 400 acre estate and helped nature take it back. Now living in the middle of this pioneering re-wilding project in West Sussex.
Maria Popova.
Writer.
Lover of trees. Petter of moss. Creator of The Universe in Verse, a large scale annual celebration of science and the natural world through poetry.
Kate Bradbury.
Nature Writer + Presenter.
One Garden Against the World. If you ever doubted that you yourself can help change the world, read this book.
Wawa Gatheru.
Climate Activist + Founder.
Passionate about bringing empathetic and accessible climate communication to the mainstream.
Olafur Eliasson.
Visual Artist.
Creating large-scale, innovative and immersive installations that pose questions about the climate crisis. Art as activism.
Arizona Muse.
Model + Founder of Dirt.
Has spent the last decade highlighting regenerative organic agriculture, especially for growing the raw materials needed to make our clothes.
WELL-BEING.
Rose Ferguson.
Functional Medical Practitioner.
As the Queen of the Reset, Rose provides a trusted platform to assist us in making informed decisions about our diet, lifestyle and overall health.
Victoria Hutchins.
Poet + Yoga Teacher.
Victoria is always seeking beauty, hope and truth in the mess of life. Her book, Make Believe, is an invitation for readers to join her in the search.
Melanie Rickey.
Founder of The Enoughness.
It’s about the pursuit of pleasure, and where our quest for enjoyment, contentment and satisfaction can take us.
Sarah Bayliss.
Nutritional Therapist + Author.
The world of nutrition can feel overwhelming. DO Nourish is Sarah’s way of cutting through this confusion, focusing on what truly matters.
Ally Maz.
Founder of Girlvana.
Empowering teen girls and young women to find home within themselves so they can go into the world and change it.
Cal Newport.
Computer Scientist + Author.
Helping us all find a better way to work. One that promises more calm, clarity, and creativity. Create great work at a sustainable pace.
Micael Dahlén.
Author, Orator + Asktronaut.
Extracting soul from statistics and adventure from anomalies. If it boggles the mind, that’s where you’ll find Micael.
Tim Ferriss.
Entrepreneur + Investor.
In his podcast, Tim deconstructs world-class performers from eclectic areas of expertise. Digging deep to find tools and tricks that we can all use.
PURPOSE DRIVEN.
Simon Dabadie.
Founder + Chief Design Officer of DAB Motors.
Steer away from the norms. On a manufacturing mission to give everyone the power to consume better, in style.
Michael Sheen.
Actor + Icon.
The Assembly was a Q&A session in which Sheen took questions from a group of young neurodiverergent people. It was a thing of beauty.
Kris Hallenga.
Founder of CoppaFeel!
She hasn’t lost a battle, she wasn’t in a fight and she certainly wouldn’t want you to see her death as tragic. She died with fulfilment and a heart full of love.
Streetwise Opera.
Singers.
Enabling people who’ve experienced homelessness to find inspiration and empowerment whilst they rebuild their lives and identities.
Kentarō Yoshifuji.
Co-Founder of ORY Lab.
Hospitalised multiple times, he was inspired to use robotics to improve the lives of people who were unable to participate physically in life.
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Congresswoman.
It’s been a heck of a year in US politics, but AOC remains resolute in her belief that no American should be too poor to live.
Hana-Rāwhiti Maipi-Clarke.
New Zealand Politician.
Youngest MP in NZ since 1853. Ripped the paper and started a Haka protest in parliament to express disagreement with the Indigenous Treaty Bill.
CJ Bowry.
Founder of Sal’s Shoes.
Found new feet for over 5 million pairs of pre-loved children’s shoes in 63 countries around the world. This year made an OBE. Hear, hear!
CREATIVITY.
Jim Riswold.
Icon.
The copywriter behind some of Nike’s greatest adverts. His last Instagram read: OKAY, I’M DEAD NOW. Irreverent until the end. R.I.P.
Jason Lee.
Actor, Film Maker + Photographer.
From Professional Skateboarder to Hollywood Actor to Photographer. He’s just trying to be a better person. Karma.
Pablo Rochat.
Artist + Director.
A seconds scroll through his Instagram feed reveals a marvellous creative mind and a completely unique perspective. Bravo.
Tony Davidson.
Provocateur + Disruptor.
Creative icon. Throwaway, his latest exhibition, is street photography shot from the perspective of bins. Genius.
Harriet Richardson.
Artist.
Bridging the medium of digital and physical expression. Often inviting audience participation. In the midst of a will-they-won’t-they with Zuck.
Sane Seven.
Photographer.
Internationally acclaimed portrait photographer known for her powerful, intimate depictions of influential women. An epic year of work.
Marion Deuchars.
Illustrator + Author.
Beautifully illustrated books that include her own globally recognised style of hand lettering. Championing the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration.
Geoff McFetridge.
Artist.
One of the most prolific artists of our time, Geoff has undoubtedly influenced the way our world looks. Make sure to watch Drawing a Life.
Mykel Dixon.
Speaker, Author + Experience Designer.
Down under in Australia, one man is on a quest to change how you experience an event. Helping you be more radical.
Yinka Ilori.
Artist + Designer.
The Architect of Joy. Humorous, provocative and playful, Yinka’s work is underpinned by the belief that art and design should be accessible to all.
Takashi Murakami.
Artist.
We want to see the newest things. That is because we want to see the future, even if only momentarily. Traditional Japanese painting, through a futuristic lens.
MONEY.
Simran Kaur.
Founder of Girls That Invest.
Encouraging women to take control of their financial futures. Making investing more approachable for all women.
Michael Saylor.
Executive Chairman of MicroStrategy (MSTR).
Famous for his Bitcoin strategy and cryptocurrency expertise, Michael is at the forefront of the digital currency revolution.
James from InvestAnswers.
Future-Proof Financing.
Your guru guide to financial freedom, real estate, crypto, stocks, derivatives, options and other tools to get you to your financial destination.
Robinhood.
Investing App.
Unlock your investing potential. 23 million people already invest on Robinhood. Now available in the UK.
Nate Silver.
Statistician + Writer.
In his latest book, Nate investigates the community of like-minded people whose mastery of risk allows them to shape so much of modern life.
Mark Moss.
Investor + Entrepreneur.
Learn about making money, investing, and having success in life, and on your own terms, without taking the long slow traditional route.
David Mattin.
Founder of New World Same Humans.
Trends, technology and new human futures. Working with organisations to orient their innovation around the future scenarios that matter.
Raoul Pal.
Founder + Strategist.
Highly respected as one of the most unique independent thinkers. Helping us digest and process complex ideas. How To Unf*ck Your Future.
A.I.
Sora.
OpenAI.
Needs to be seen to be believed. OpenAI’s video generation model. Turning your text prompts into mind-blowing movies.
Willow.
Google Quantum Chip.
Computes in under five minutes what would take one of today’s fastest supercomputers a time vastly longer than the age of the universe.
Daisy.
O2.
Human-like AI Granny, answering fraudsters’ calls in real time, keeping them on the phone and away from customers for as long as possible.
NotebookLM.
Google.
The ultimate tool for understanding the information that matters most to you. It can even turn any text article into a podcast. Incredible!
Final Spark.
Biocomputing.
Working towards replicating and surpassing nature’s success with limitless potential for enhancing life on earth. Scary smart.
Circle to Search.
Google.
Instantly search things that you see on your phone with Google. See it. Circle it. Searched.
MyMind.
Personal Search Engine.
One place for everything you care about. No need to file it, label it or even tag it. It’s all magically organised and visualised for you.
Virtually Parkinson.
A.I. Replica Chatshow.
New guests are about to be questioned by an exact vocal replica of Sir Michael Parkinson. The first podcast to be entirely presented by an AI host.
Words.
Enshittification.
The gradual deterioration of a service or product brought about by a reduction in the quality; a consequence of mindless profit-seeking.
Brat.
Someone with a confident, independent and hedonistic attitude. Inspired by Charli XCX.
Manifest.
To imagine achieving something you want, in the belief that doing so will make it more likely to happen.
Demure.
Previously associated with submissiveness, the term is now empowering, helping people to express a quiet confidence. Very demure, very mindful.
Brainrot.
The deterioration of a person’s intellectual state, as the result of the overconsumption of material considered to be trivial or unchallenging.
Dynamic Pricing.
Product pricing based on various external factors, including current market demand. Oasis tickets anyone? Ticketmaster still owe me.
Extra.
When referring to a person, suggests that they have a tendency to be dramatic, attention-seeking, or overreacting in certain situations.
Non-Player Character (NPC).
A video game character that is not controlled by a player of the game. Be an active participant, don’t be a NPC.
PRODUCT.
Nought.One.
E-Scooter.
Future-focussed design. A zero-emissions ride for sustainable journeys through the urban environment. Small rides for big cities.
Bilboquet.
Flos x Philippe Malouin.
Designed as a lamp for Millennials and Gen Z. A flexible illumination tool that adapts to these generations’ multilayered approach to the home.
Ambessa Play.
For the Curious.
Playful learning for every child, everywhere. Ambessa creates DIY educational kits designed to spark curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
Safa Sahin.
Head of Sneaker Design at Balmain.
An otherworldly maximalism footwear revolution. Designs that actively push against the limitations of reality and commercial viability.
Roberto Lugo.
Activist + Ceramicist.
Using classical pottery forms, combined with his North Philadelphia roots and Hip Hop culture, to highlight themes of poverty.
Tenir.
Studio Part.
Seating created in a natural way. Growth moulds combined with woven live willow vegetation. Over time, the willow becomes self supporting.
Superdupertube.
Snøhetta.
Compostable lights. The first project where a material based on hemp is extruded in an existing extrusion process.
Ray-Ban Meta.
A.I. Glasses.
Cutting-edge technology meets lightweight form to help you make the most of every moment.
SPORT + ADVENTURE.
Mijaín López Núñez.
Wrestler.
The first ever athlete to win five gold medals in the same event. Five time Olympic champion. Leaving his boots on the mat. Hero.
Anders Hofman.
Keynote Speaker + Entrepreneur.
The first person in history to complete a long-distance triathalon in Antartica. The Iceman shows that limitations are only perceptions.
Jürgen Klopp.
Iconic Manager.
Widely regarded as one of the best football managers in the world. Beloved by Liverpool fans, he’ll never walk alone. Thank you Jürgen.
Mark Cavendish.
Manx Missile.
Ended a stellar cycling career earlier this year, having won 165 professional races and a record 35 Tour de France stages. One of the best to ever do it.
Russ Cook.
Hardest Geezer.
The first person to ever run the full length of Africa. Crossing the finish line after 352 days, raising in excess of £700,000 in the process.
Lhakpa Sherpa.
Mountain Queen.
A 48-year-old single mother working in a supermarket, who is also one of the best climbers in the world. No woman has summited Everest more.
Andy Macdonald.
Skateboarder.
It’s never too late. There’s always time to write a new chapter. Andy representing his country in the Olympics at the tender age of 51.
Keely Hodgkinson.
Runner.
A historic year. Olympic and European 800m champion, reduced her personal best to 1:54.61 and was unbeaten over two laps all season.
MUSIC.
Chappell Roan.
Singer Songwriter.
Your favourite artist’s favourite artist. Chappell Roan is taking the world by storm and ushering in a new era for woman-powered pop music.
Kneecap.
Irish HipHop Trio.
Frighteningly articulate rap group. Merging Irish with English, satire with socially conscious lyrics, and reality with absurdity. Don’t miss the film.
Sons of the East.
Indie Folk Trio.
A remarkable independent success story. 300 million streams, 60 million YouTube views and over 60,000 headline tickets sold.
Joy!
Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds.
Joy is an emotion that understands the nature of loss. A song, inspired a question, that created a movement. Where or how do you find your joy?
Ezra Collective.
Jazz Quintet.
After becoming the first jazz act to win the Mercury-Award, Ezra Collective are back with a mission to help the next generation of musicians.
Olivia Dean.
Neo Soul Singer.
Her debut album Messy, shortlisted for the Mercury prize, is a reflection on post break up self-discovery and surrendering to artistic imperfections.
Charli XCX.
Brat.
The culture defining album of the year, with its instantly iconic lime green cover. It’s no longer Brat Summer, but Charli XCX is here to stay.
St. Vincent.
Musician + Singer.
Annie Clark returns with her first entirely self-produced work. Aiming to recreate the noises in her head without a filter. Rock just got its strut back.
Dua Lipa.
Singer + Songwriter.
One of the biggest British stars on the planet. Won Best British Pop Act at the BRITs, before putting on an incredible Glastonbury 2024 performance.
PLATFORMS OF INFLUENCE.
Ben Branson.
The Hidden 20%.
Ben Branson chats with neurodivergent (ADHD, Autism, Dyscalculia, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, Tourette’s etc.) creatives, entrepreneurs and experts.
Sam Bentley.
Sustainable Living.
Climate activist and sustainability content creator with a goal to use his social media channels to inspire and create positive change.
Jack Conte.
CEO of Patreon.
A platform for real fans and real creators. Create what excites you most, rough or polished, big or small. You’re in control, not the algorithm.
Bernard Henry + Michael Cefalu.
Fat Hen Farms.
Dads to many birds. Many of the 100+ birds on their sanctuary have been rescued from neglected homes.
Rory Stewart + Alastair Campbell.
The Rest Is Politics.
Lifting the lid on the secrets of Westminster, offering an insider’s view on politics at home and abroad. They’ve had a busy year.
Lu Featherstone.
The Self Love Revolution.
On a mission to empower women to find their confidence, step out of their comfort zone and fall in love with their god-damn selves.
Chris McCausland.
Comedian.
Made history as the first ever blind contestant to compete on Strictly Come Dancing, and went on to win the whole damn thing.
Podcasts.
Mass Media.
With the first podcast elections, it was the year the podcast became more important than TV. Game changer.
BRAVE WALES.
Olly Davey.
Founder of Heartwood Saunas.
Combining his passion for an outdoor lifestyle with his craft, Olly is inspired to design and hand-build the very finest wood-fired saunas.
Carys Huws.
Photographer.
Based in London and working across stills and video for fashion clients include Mulberry, Cartier, NIKE and i-D. Making the most beautiful images.
Iolo Williams.
Naturalist + TV Presenter.
An ambassador for Tir Natur, Wales’ Largest Ecosystem Restoration Project. Their mission is to rewild and regenerate Welsh landscapes.
Ibby Abdi.
IBY.
IBY joined forces with New Balance and Cardiff City FC in a celebratory creative collaboration. Inspired by You.
Luke Evans.
Actor + Singer.
Boy From the Valleys documents his journey from humble beginnings in a Welsh mining village to the dazzling lights of Hollywood.
Andrew Jenkins.
Mental Health Speaker.
Having started the year as a Traitor, he’s just walked the 750 miles from Scotland to Wales. Raising awareness and funds for the Headway charity.
Casi Wyn.
Poet + Singer.
The former Children and Youth Poet Laureate for Wales released her first solo volume of poetry, Cariad Yw.
Gareth Ward.
Award Winning Chef.
Creating dishes like no one else in the UK. With a focus on aged meat, preserved seasonal ingredients and punchy Japanese flavours.
That’s it.
You made it to the bottom. Phew!
Same time, next year?
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