CreatED

In this episode of CreatED, artist and educator Rob Pepper sits down with Melanie Gerlis, Art Market Editor at the Financial Times, to unpack one of the most misunderstood relationships in the creative world: art and money. Together they explore how the art market really works - from the primary and secondary markets that determine price, to the growing influence of AI and digital platforms reshap...

The job market has never been tougher — but according to recruiter Emily Aldrich, it’s also never been richer in opportunity for those who know how to stand out. In this episode of CreatED, artist and educator Rob Pepper talks with Emily Aldrich, founder of Aldrich & Co, a recruitment firm with over 30 years of experience placing people in some of London’s most competitive industries. Emily di...

What do artists and CEOs have in common? More than you might expect — and if you’re in the business world, you might just learn a thing or two from a sculptor’s mindset. In this episode of CreatED, artist and Principal of The Art Academy, Rob Pepper, sits down with Matthew Brockman, Managing Partner of Hg Capital, one of Europe’s most successful private equity firms. Matthew grew up in a family of...

Christopher Duffy’s path into design blends fine craft with playful illusion — from a life-changing art foundation in Newham to cabinet-making with master artisans, market stalls in Camden, and eventually founding Duffy London. Known for the Swing Table, Shadow Chair and Balloon Table, Chris shares how he builds concept-first pieces to a “99.9% finished” standard, why he kept his studio intentiona...

Nicole Anderson’s journey into animation was anything but linear — leaving school early, working a decade in pubs, and then pivoting back to her creative roots through 3D modelling and animation. She co-founded her own studio, learned business skills the hard way, and discovered her strength in production and team leadership. In this episode of CreatED, Nicole and Rob explore: The realities of run...

From punk bands to IBM Consulting, Matt Gierhart has always lived at the edge of culture and code. In this episode of CreatED, he sits down with Rob Pepper to explore what happens when art, strategy, and AI collide — and why ambiguity might be our greatest asset. They discuss the rise of “hybrid” creative-tech roles, why generalists are thriving, and how to stay grounded when everything’s changing...

Gautam Rajani’s creative journey spans continents, industries, and mindsets. Now co-founder of luxury menswear label SMR Days, he joins Rob Pepper to unpack what it really takes to build a brand — and a career — in today’s fractured fashion landscape. They talk digital-first design, AI in merchandising, and why London is losing its grip as a global creative capital. If you care about fashion, glob...

From free school meals to reshaping the future of work through Hundo, Esther O’Callaghan has spent her life creating opportunities for young people the system overlooks. In this episode of CreatED, Rob Pepper and Esther dive deep into the failures of traditional education and what needs to change — fast. They explore the disappearing entry-level job, why CVs no longer serve talent or employers, an...

From art school to animation studios and freelance art direction, Jake Gumbleton has spent decades navigating the evolving edge of creative tech. In this episode of CreatED, Rob Pepper and Jake explore what it means to build a sustainable creative career in an industry facing rapid change. They talk about breaking into games and animation, how AI is reshaping creative workflows, and why foundation...

In this episode, Rob Pepper speaks with sculptor and Art Academy founder Tanya Russell about the power of apprenticeship learning, why professional skills—not talent—are often the biggest barrier for young artists, and how she built one of the UK’s most distinctive art schools from scratch. From childhood in her parents’ sculpture studio to running her own successful foundry in rural Wales, Tanya...

From the Millennium Gallery to Chelsea Barracks and the rooftops of Brixton, architect Tim Gledstone has spent decades shaping how we live, work, and create. In this episode of CreatED, Rob Pepper and Tim unpack what it takes to build places — and practices — that are human, sustainable, and future-ready. They explore how architecture education must evolve, why apprenticeships are making a comebac...

From Warhol lawsuits to Disney takedowns, this episode dives deep into the legal grey zones of authorship in the age of AI.Rob Pepper is joined by Ryan Nishimoto, a US-trained IP litigator and advisor to major tech clients, for a wide-ranging conversation on creativity, copyright, and control. They unpack what really counts as ‘original’ today, how artists can protect their work, and why enforceme...

Lucy Haken | Alpha Energy: Confidence, Creativity and living a Freelance Life Lucy Haken has spent over 20 years producing science and history documentaries for the BBC, Channel 4, and National Geographic. As a Series Producer, she leads teams through complex productions — balancing creative vision with tight budgets and evolving technology. In this episode of CreatED, Rob Pepper talks to Lucy abo...

What does it mean to think in both pictures and spreadsheets — to blend instinct with insight? In this episode, Rob Pepper is joined by Jenna Littler, whose career has spanned luxury fashion, public policy, and global communications, including a decade at Burberry. Jenna reflects on the growing value of “50/50 thinking” — where creativity and strategy are no longer siloed, but interwoven. She shar...

From Snow Patrol and Jake Bugg to Grammy nominations and mentoring the next generation, Iain Archer has spent decades crafting the soundtrack of modern life. In this episode of CreatED, Rob Pepper and Iain explore what it means to build a sustainable creative career — and how education, storytelling, and resilience shape the path. They dive into how creativity evolves over time, how AI and tech ar...

The world is shifting fast — in education, in employment, and in how we define creativity itself. In this opening episode, CREATED host Rob Pepper (artist, educator, and Principal of the Art Academy London) introduces the mission behind the mic: to reimagine how we equip young people for a future shaped by AI, automation, and radical change. Rob makes the case for centring human skills in a tech-d...