EX.R.E
NYLA Consults researched and developed the business model for EX.R.E, the UK's first education platform using gamification and augmented/virtual reality immersive technologies.
EX.R.E has been awarded membership of Google Startup Campus, a place on the Natwest Pre-Accelerator and a mentor from JP Morgan's Mentoring scheme having graduated from the JP Morgan Hatch Female Founders Accelerator 2018.
Business Plan & concept
The brief for the London Borough of Havering was to develop a business plan and concept for a 67 acre site in Havering. Bretons Manor House, walled garden and parks had been deteriorating for over 30 years and on the 'At Risk' register. We undertook in-depth market research, stakeholder workshops with current and potential users, to provide an insight led business plan and develop a culture, sport, leisure and tech led zonal concept to restore and regenerate the site. The final concept aligned with national governmental policy, council priorities and grant funding criteria outlined by HLF, Sport England, Football Foundation and Arts Council England amongst others resulting in an innovative community-based, commercial business model valued at £23m.
We have also been commissioned to develop a culture, sport, etch led regeneration strategy for the London Borough of Havering.
Heritage Capsule
A fun and simple app, designed to enable children and young people to engage with family members and community seniors to record their culture and heritage through oral story telling. The app is aimed at creating social connections through the use of technology, reducing isolation and nurturing open and engaging intergenerational and cross cultural conversations as well as skills transfer. The app enables individuals to build a family or community tree and preserve their heritage just like a time capsule for future generations.
London Borough of Havering - Cultural Strategy
Researched and developed cultural strategy for London Borough of Havering building on work developed for London Mayors 'London Borough of Culture' competition. Organised and led 8 workshops across a range of audiences including students, local residents, creative industries, artists, designers, SMEs and developed cultural partnerships with Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO) Queen's Theatre, National Theatre, English National Ballet, Havering Music School, Sou Fujimoto, Grand Union Orchestra, Outset, University of the Arts (UAL), Havering College, The Retailery, Things Made Public, Brennan and Burch, Imogen Heap, Diversity, Royal Opera House, London Chamber Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra Jonnie Riordan/ Sheila Atim, We ARE FSTVL, Wigmore Hall, YMCA amongst many others.
#HealingGrenfell kids camps
NYLA Consults, in a very short space of time, co-ordinated a campaign to offer culturally nuanced 'Culture Vulture' kids camps for survivors and victims of the Grenfell tragedy. The camps enabled children from diverse backgrounds to immerse themselves in culture, heritage, sport and arts activities exploring their sense of identity and migrating history. This prov idfed a medium through which children and adults could express how the trauma of Grenfell affected them. A 'Pop-Up' and safe space creating an intimate interior within the open concrete urban exterior space under the Westway offering trained and qualified trauma psychotherapists.
Grant applications
The brief from the London Borough of Havering was to develop a business model and submit external grant funding applications.
Having developed a community- based, commercial business model, amounting to £23m in its first draft, aligned with cultural, arts, museum, sports, leisure funding criteria, 'Expressions of Interest' were submitted to Heritage Lottery Funding, Sport England, the Football Foundation and more.
Wellbeing Pop-Up Pod
In partnership with a number of local organisations and businesses, NYLA launched the 'Wellbeing Pod' around Grenfell to provide an intimate abd safe space for local communities, children and families to express themselves and share their inner anxieties and pain.
A range fo therapists occupie dthe Pod inviting visitors to simply talk and chat over tea. A wide rage fo childre, families and adults used the pod and requested it 'Pop-Up' around London.
Commercialise Wetlands
The brief from the regeneration department at the London Borough of Waltham Forest, representing key stakeholders including Thames Water, Heritage Lottery Funding and London Wildlife Trust, was to undertake a review of the £8.7m HLF (Heritage Lottery Funded) business plan for the Walthamstow Wetlands and avoid any further missed targets.
A review of the business plan and market research in the culture, heritage, retail and educational sectors provided insight on how new income generating strategies could increase commercial revenue, was undertaken. Recommendations were provided as to the legal entity options required to ensure the future sustainability of the Wetlands, including community interest companies, limited liability as well as charitable status. An organisation map together with the resources required to immediately deliver the project and ensure the model became self-sustaining as soon as possible with the appropriately skilled staff, was proposed and adopted. WalthamstowWetlands.com
Sponsorship
The brief was to generate sponsorship for a gala fundraising dinner. A sponsorship presentation was developed and meetings et up to negotiate 'win win' scenarios with key supporters, beneficiaries, patrons and corporates. The british museum provided the venue free of charge, Mishcon de Reya became a main sponsor in addition to Ploutos International.
Commercial innovation workshop
The brief for HubDot was to develop a business plan with immediate income generation to cover costs and to assist with raising angel investment.
Initially, a conversation was held with the CEO of Hub Dot, Simona Barbieri. This was followed by a one day 'express' business planning and innovators workshop with the HubDot management team. A high level insight into market research and competition enabled the team to streamline their business model, research pricing strategy, develop financial forecasts and map targets based on their core strengths around networks and events as well as identify new opportunities for commercial innovation.
VIP Gala Fundraising event
NYLA Consults planned and organised the #Barakat30 Gala fundraising dinner to fundraise and enhance the charity's profile. The event featured BBC presenter Asad Ahamed, His Excellency Omar Ghobash and Lord Mark Poltimore of Sothebys. Over 25 members of Middle Eastern royal families attended together with Amal Clooney's mother, celebrities and media raising £220k on the night.
The British Museum was negotaited as a free venue, Sothebys supported the event and sponsorship was secured with Mishcon de reya, Citibank, Ploutos International, Ozoza Lifetsyle, DTA Shipping and NYLA Consults. A sponsorship pack was developed to sell coprorate tables and secure sponsorship and branding material was developed across all mediums with promotion across social media. Key HNWI's and luxury brands such as Athr Gallery, Azza Fahmy, Boghossian, ZFW Fencing, Mathaf Gallery, Amanda wakeley and NYLA Gallery amongst others were approached to donate exclusive gifts and artworks for the charity auction by Sothebys.
'Pop-Up' at NYLA Boutique
The brief was to organise an intimate 'Pop-Up' for Bruno Acampora to promote and sell its exclusive luxury perfumes and oils, made in Capri, Italy.
NYLA hosted a 'Pop-Up' with RBKC residents, clients, media and mums to trial the new oils and build relationships. Each client had the opportunity of trying out the scents and exploring the history of the perfume and oils.
The products are also listed on www.NYLAboutique.co.uk
Wallpaper & Fabric design
The brief was to develop a range of unique wallpapers inspired by authentic world heritage.
The 'MICA Zen' collection of geometric wallpapers, rooted in sacred geometry, was launched at 100% Design and Decorex. Having researched the unique characteristics of the interiors market and emerging trends around wallpapers, the vinyl-based, water and tear resistant wallcoverings were presented to buyers at John Lewis. The MICA Zen wallcovering was featured in July 2017's edition of Vogue magazine. A wider collection of 'intelligent' wallpapers is being developed fusing art, design, science and learning.
Meeting & Exceeding Targets
The brief was to meet financial targets, previously unmet for over two decades, for a number of heritage venues in the London Borough of Waltham Forest. Venues included the Walthamstow Assembly Hall, William Morris Gallery, Vestry House Museum, Chingford Assembly Hall and Winns gallery.
A detailed business plan was researched and developed paying particular attention to the wedding market, museum trends and retail sector. A detailed marketing strategy was developed together with branding to move away from a 'municipal' look and appeal to the bridal sector. This resulted in the launch of ForestVenues - a dedicated website and brand designed to promote venue hire across all the venues and attract 'out of town visitors' for the museums. Targets of £600k+ were met within 8 months and exceeded by £300k by the end of the financial year.
Development strategy
The brief was to commercialise William Morris Gallery and Vestry House Museum to ensure their financial sustainability in the future.
After researching the business plan and museum market, a growth strategy was proposed including core products to develop museum retail sales and attract more local and 'out of town' visitors.
PR & networking events
The brief was to organise and host an event to promote a collective of designers at NYLA boutique.
A 'Design and Creativity' themed event was organised in partnership with Hub Dot, which has a following of over 31,000 women globally. The event promoted and featured four designers who sell their designs through NYLA boutique including Sian Zheng wallpapers, Where Did You Get That Light?, Hend Krichen clay pots and NYLA wallpapers. The event was over-subscribed with a waiting list and actively promoted across social media platforms.
Launched retail boutique
Brief was to launch an art, antique and interiors boutique offering a range of high quality brands and unique 'character pieces' inspired by authentic world heritage.
The 'Heads of term' were negotiated within 2 months, and lease completed within 3 months. Architects and interiors designers were commissioned to developed the vision for the boutique and contractors were appointed to deliver the interior renovation within 2 months. NYLA boutique was launched by October 2016 followed by the website www.NYLAboutique.co.uk.
Educational programme
The brief was to develop an innovative, engaging and relevant education programme to promote traditional Islamic art and culture in a contemporary context.
The Barakat Culture Vulture Kids camp was researched and curated to explore themes around historical culture and heritage such as 'science & inventors', 'art & design', 'architecture & model making' and 'Mughal miniature & noble sports'. All of which were reinterpreted to make them accessible, relevant, fun and engaging for children through an interactive education pack. The Kid's camp secured grant funding and ticket sales to fundraise for more educational programmes.
Social Media Strategy
The brief was to develop a social media strategy promoting projects and research supported by the Barakat Trust.
A carefully curated and well researched social media strategy was developed to engage audiences, provide interesting and factual content, attract followers and enhance profile driving more traffic to the website. It was important that the content was unique and interesting. The social media strategy became the foundation of a potential online archive or digital library, which would archive the 600 projects, across 40 countries supported by the Barakat Trust over the last 30 years.