What Happened At Future Icons 2026?

Future Icons Day 2026 unfolded at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park with an optimism that has come to define Country & Town House’s annual celebration of responsible leadership (plus, some guests got to arrive at the event in special Future Icons branded Polestar – so chic!). 

In the glittering ballroom, Editorial Director Lucy Cleland opened the morning with words that set the tone for the entire event: a reminder that the day belonged to the changemakers in the room – the activists, designers, innovators and founders whose work for people and planet continues even when the headwinds blow in the opposite direction.

‘You are seen, recognised and celebrated,’ Lucy told the audience, urging them to use the day to make new connections, learn something new and gather ‘powerful wind beneath your incredible wings’. She walked guests through the programme ahead – from intention-setting to panels, from awards to storytelling – before offering thanks to the incredible roster of judges, partners and supporters who help bring Future Icons to life each year.

Mary Fellowes

Setting The Intention For The Day

To kick things off with a quietly powerful opening to allow guests to really focus on the day ahead, breathwork teacher and former professional rugby player Richie Norton took to the stage. His immersive session offered a moment of stillness, encouraging everyone in the room to settle their nervous systems and enter the day with calm clarity.  

Polestar

Panel: Youthquake: The Voices Shaping The Future

Sponsored by C&TH Future Icons partner, FOPE, and hosted by impact leader and Light/Work founder Jamila Brown, the Youthquake panel brought together three extraordinary changemakers already influencing national and global conversations.

First was Mya-Rose Craig – the youngest Brit to receive an honorary doctorate, founder of Black2Nature and author of Birdgirl. At just 17, she had already dedicated a decade to championing equal access to nature.

Mya-Rose Craig

Next was designer Patrick McDowell, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honouree whose work blends bold creativity with radical responsibility. With collaborations spanning Lady Gaga to Keira Knightley, he has become a leading voice in reshaping the fashion landscape.

Finally, technologist, nature rights campaigner and guerrilla gardener Kalpana Arias joined the conversation. As the founder of Nowadays and PLAY, and a global TED and UN presenter, she offered a perspective rooted in futurism, urban ecology and the relationship between humans, technology and nature.

The conversation revealed what the next generation demands from brands, communities and leaders.

Dr Matt Winning

A Climate Scientist – And A comedian? You’re Having A Laugh

To present the Future Icons Awards, climate scientist-comedian Dr Matt Winning took to the stage. His opening mixed humour and seriousness in equal measure, getting a laugh out of some of our most serious guests.

Matt reflected on why he does the work he does – using humour as a bridge that keeps climate realities accessible – and praised the room for building the future rather than merely talking about it.

Matt shared the story of this year’s extraordinary trophies: Baobab-inspired glass trees – in Future Icons red – created in partnership with Shanga, a Tanzanian social enterprise employing people with disabilities and underserved communities to craft beautiful objects entirely from recycled materials. A short film followed, giving guests a window into the story and skill behind each award.

The Future Icons Awards 2026

The Awards acknowledged a remarkable lineup of finalists who are shaping the sustainable luxury landscape – from regenerative agriculture to circular fashion. 

Highlights included E.L.V. Denim, Responsible Womenswear Brand (Fashion & Accessories) winner, as a compelling example of how a fashion label can marry aesthetics with accountability. Built entirely on upcycling – E.L.V. Denim transforms post-consumer and deadstock textiles into couture-inspired designs. 

Monica Viander

Monica Vinader scooped Responsible Jewellery Brand of the year. The brand has set a new benchmark for responsible jewellery – combining contemporary design with rigorous traceability, recycled precious metals, lab-grown diamonds, and pioneering transparency tools.

In the beauty category, Star Seed won Best Sustainable Beauty Innovation for its fully waterless, preservative-free formulations which are powered by whole-plant actives and produced through a closed-loop, small-batch process that regenerates both skin and soil. 

Meanwhile, in travel, The Datai Langkawi won Best Travel Conservation, Environmental or Biodiversity Initiative (Travel) for its pioneering ‘Datai Pledge’ – a four-pillar environmental and social impact programme rooted in Malaysia’s Langkawi rainforest. The judges described it as ‘an outstanding brand and exemplar for Malaysia, and Asia’ noted for how deeply the ecological and community values are embedded.

Lisa Oxenham

Judges – including Lisa Oxenham, Shailja Dube, Joycelyn Longdon, Mary Fellowes, Ginnie Chadwyck Healey and Polestar’s Kim Palmer read out all the category award winners. 

To find out all the award winners, click here.

Winners were toasted with a glass of Telmont Champagne or Chateau Leoube Rose. 

The Power People Gathered

In the afternoon, Lucy Cleland returned with Lisa Bolin, sustainability lead at Future Icons partner Polestar, to welcome guests back for the afternoon programme – a shift in focus from brand awards to this year’s extraordinary Power People.

Lucy explained the selection process: last year’s honourees were invited to ‘pay it forward’, nominating someone who had influenced them. This created a living ecosystem of changemakers whose paths had crossed – or would cross – in meaningful ways. The list spans sectors because, as Lucy reminded the room, sustainability cannot exist in isolation: it requires equality, clean water, fresh air, women’s rights and nature protection.

Throughout lunch, the faces and stories of the 30 Power People lit up the screens – a tapestry of leaders shaping today’s responsible future. 

Storytelling for a New Era

Matt Winning returned to host a panel on climate storytelling – how to communicate urgency without resorting to despair. His introduction acknowledged a universal truth: crisis fatigue is real. Years of doom-laden news have numbed audiences. Progress requires a different kind of conversation.

Thomasina Miers

Matt welcomed the day’s expert storytellers: Marine Tanguy, founder of MTArt and champion of visual literacy; Gail Gallie, co-leader of the UN Global Goals Campaign and co-founder of Project Everyone; Lisa Bolin, Polestar’s Climate Lead and Thomasina Miers, chef and co-founder of Wahaca. Together, they explored humour, empathy and creativity as tools for shifting culture – and why compelling stories are essential to the climate movement.

John Elkington

Closing Keynote: John Elkington

To close Future Icons Day 2026, Lucy welcomed the keynote speaker: John Elkington – the ‘Godfather of Sustainability’ and ‘Ambassador from the Future’. For over 50 years, Elkington has advised global businesses on harnessing markets for positive change. His invitation to the room was clear: think bigger, be braver and embrace truly long-term vision.

A Day of Inspiration and Connection

Lucy closed the event by inviting guests to step back into the world full of ‘passion, love, compassion, inspiration and energy’. Above all, she urged everyone never to stop – because Future Icons exists to stand right behind them.