Marksteen Adamson
Founding Partner, Chief Creative Officer & Director of Strategy
Marksteen has gained an international reputation for being an inspiring creative strategist and problem solver, advising global companies, governments, countries and charities on brand strategy and brand behaviour. Marksteen was Global Creative Director of Interbrand and joint Director of its worldwide steering committee, building and overseeing the creative teams in London, Amsterdam and New York before making the move to set up ASHA & Co in 2003.
In 2019, Marksteen was named ‘Changemaker of the Year’ at The Drum Social Purpose Awards – a recognition of his impact as an innovator and social enterprise pioneer. An entrepreneur, philanthropist, mentor and creative leader, he has rebranded and repositioned two countries, worked with presidents, and developed initiatives that create lasting social change.
Marksteen is also a visiting D&AD college lecturer, public speaker and author, and is regularly invited to speak at conferences, on television and on radio. Over the course of his career, he has received more than 100 national and international awards for his work – spanning design, branding, innovation and purposeful impact.
As well as overseeing all creative work, brand strategy, innovation and driving the business direction and social objectives of ASHA & Co, Marksteen also has personal projects he works on in-between clients and family commitments. Some of these include:
Co-founder of The New Life Secondary School in Tanzania.
Founder of The Big Cold Turkey Foundation.
Co-founder and Trustee of The Cheltenham Design Foundation & Festival Creative Director.
King’s Coffee House - Community café set up to run effectively as a business that also provides training in the local community.
Behold The Man - Study of addiction and homelessness. The study has been used by national homelessness charities as an example of best practice.
The Stations - Project tracing the emotional journey of refugees and creating significant engagement with public, education, businesses and Government and was instrumental in saving unaccompanied minors trapped in Calais.
PEEL - A study of identity. Enabling young people (and old) explore who they are through poetry and photography with significant positive mental well-being benefits and results.
The Sober Parrot - Alcohol free venue in Cheltenham. Creating a safe and vibrant space for people who don't want to drink alcohol.
Founder & CEO of The Phoenix Village Project - www.phoenixvillageproject.org
