We are proud to announce two significant leadership updates within our Live Division continuing our investment in top talent and reaffirming our commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences for clients worldwide.
James Khan has joined as Head of Creative for Environments, while Brad Harris has been promoted to Head of Creative for Events. Together with the creative heads in the Film, Animation and Digital divisions, they bring decades of expertise across live events, exhibitions, and immersive brand experiences, ensuringwe continue to deliver creative excellence.
James arrives from award-winning agency Smyle, where he was Creative Lead, bringing with him over 25 years of experience spanning museums, exhibitions and EBC’s. His career has been defined by projects that blend culture, creativity and storytelling, starting as a set builder and designer for some of the UK’s most prominent museums, to creating both temporary and permanent experiences for some of the world’s best recognised brands.
For James, our culture and sustainability ethos were defining factors in his decision to join:
“Working for a B Corp was a big attraction. Sustainability is close to my heart and a key challenge for the industry and our clients. Combined with DRPG’s in-house facilities and strong culture, it was an opportunity I couldn’t resist.”
He sees live experiences as unique because of the way they draw together so many disciplines:
“This industry is unlike any other. You’ve got spatial design, engineering, graphics, film, strategy, scriptwriting and technology, all coming together in one place. That fusion is what makes events so special. When you surprise people, when they experience something they’ve never seen before, that’s when it becomes unforgettable.”
Outside of work, James finds inspiration in live theatre as well as the many exhibitions and cultural events in and around London, particularly at the Victoria & Albert Museum, which he describes as a “palace of culture that’s open to everyone.”
Alongside James’s appointment, we are proud to promote Brad Harris to Head of Creative for the Live Events division of the group. Throughout his career here, Brad has advanced through hands-on technical roles when he joined 15 years ago, to directing and crafting memorable experiences as a Live Producer and most recently as a Creative Director.
“I trained as an electronic engineer, but I was always drawn to the creative side of technology. I still remember breaking open my PlayStation as a kid to see what was inside. That curiosity, along with my love of music and performance, probably set me on the path to live events and creative experiences.”
For Brad, culture is central to its success:
“The ‘can-do’ attitude across the team is a powerful driver for creativity and builds a real sense of belief in where the company is heading. Having the opportunity to help shape the future of the brand is an incredible privilege.”
Brad believes the key to unforgettable live experiences lies in their ability to surprise and connect:
“There’s something electric about the build-up to a live or virtual event, from the first spark of creative ideation, to pitching the experience, to those final moments before delivery. It’s a unique kind of buzz. There’s no room for delay; you have to deliver, deliver well, and deliver on time. When the moment arrives and the event goes live, you’ve only got one chance to get it right. That pressure is what truly excites me. Back when I was a Live Events Producer, over a decade ago, that feeling was magnified a hundredfold. Everything rested on your shoulders, and pulling it off was absolutely unforgettable.”
Our Chief Creative Officer Richard Hingley said:
“The appointments of James and Brad form part of our group’s wider strategy of bold growth and investment all our divisions and brands in the UK, Europe and the USA. At a time when many agencies have scaled back, we’ve continuing to push forward with new facilities, further global expansion, and a commitment to innovation, creativity and sustainability. Bringing together James’s world-class expertise in exhibitions and environments with Brad’s audience-first approach to live experiences, we’re continuing to strengthen our creative leadership at a pivotal moment. These moves not only enhance creative capabilities but also reinforce our vision of delivering unforgettable experiences, powered by talent, culture and cutting-edge production, for clients across the globe.”
To find out more about DRPG Experience, click here.