The emPOWER Breakfast's Men's Series emPOWERMENt is back for 2026!

The emPOWER Breakfast, renowned for fostering authentic networking and human-centred conversation in the creative industries, is thrilled to announce the return of emPOWERMENt  The Men’s Series for 2026.

Last year’s inaugural series exceeded all expectations, creating a space where men from across advertising, production, creative tech and beyond shared deeply moving, courageous stories that challenged industry norms and sparked meaningful conversation. Highlights included:

Barny Wright, CEO of No.8, opening the series with a candid discussion on six years of sobriety, loss and leadership, setting a tone of vulnerability and authenticity.

James Hayhurst, speaking on his life following a sudden divorce and how it led him to launch The Parents Promise.

Perry Power, in a powerful session speaking on SA, healing and community through storytelling.

Matt Craigie Atherton, CPO of Ogilvy, closed the year with a perspective on identity, inclusion and leadership and was joined by Matt Foster Director of Inclusion and an immensely impactful and fascinating discussion and Q&A followed.

Building on that momentum, 2026’s men’s series goes from strength to strength, bringing four extraordinary voices whose personal and professional experiences illuminate the realities, challenges and human truths behind life in the creative industries.

⚡ April 8  Dad Still Standing

The series opens with Matt and Liam, founders of Dad Still Standing…a podcast and community supporting men who have lived through child loss in pregnancy and birth. Their raw, compassionate conversation sheds light on a topic rarely discussed openly: paternal grief.

⚡ July 1  James Brook Partridge

James brings his rich global production experience to the stage. As Head of Production at Hogarth UK, his career has taken him across EMEA and APAC, producing major campaigns and navigating diverse markets. Hear how a life packed with creative adventure, resilience and reinvention, coupled with a nomadic existence shaped his perspective on his roots family life and career path.

⚡ September 9th  Stef Jones

Stef, former co-founder of advertising agency  Big Al’s Emporium, now leads Onwards and Upwards,  a social enterprise that supports people leaving prison into meaningful work. Through XO Bikes, XO Barbers and XO Clobber, Stef champions community, dignity and opportunity, embodying how enterprise can transform lives and challenge expectations.

⚡November 11th  Orlando Wood

Industry legend Orlando Wood rounds out the series with a reflection on reinvention, sobriety and innovation. As a DuPont-winning producer, advertiser and filmmaker, co-founder of Koobrik and host of the Technically Creative podcast, Orlando blends creative excellence with tech-forward thinking, exploring how we evolve both personally and professionally.

This year’s emPOWERMENt series continues to open up spaces where real talk matters and where vulnerability is strength, and where authentic stories help shape more compassionate, resilient and connected creative communities. Stay tuned for ticket releases and speaker features and join us as we celebrate courage, truth and connection in 2026.

To book tickets you will need to download The emPOWER Breakfast App from Apple or Googleplay which is free and easy to do. For those of you who would like more from emPOWER join the membership via the app to watch exclusive content - access the event interviews - exclusive in app classes and discounted courses via The Centre of Excellence and become part of this thriving community.

For mailing list and sponsorship opportunities email athene@theempowerbreakfast.co.uk

Subscribe to the podcast lovingly sponsored and produced by String and tins - at Spotify - Apple and other POD outlets - it’s an amazing resource for visiting in your own time. 

The emPOWER Breakfast is sponsored and gifted to you by: 

Silver: 

Factory Studios and Siren Music Supervision

All of Us Here 

The Womens Network at Sky Creative

Cabin Editing Company 

The Bourne Consultancy 

NM Productions

Bespoke Voice Agency  

Vocal Point 

Cape.io

Bronze:

No.8 London

Nomad 

Twelve Decibels

Xeinadin

Harbor

NM Productions

Yellow Boat Music

Sixtyfour Music

Event Hosts:

Live Interview Events - Framestore and Company3

Wellbeing Events - Bang Casting Studios