Author, former government adviser, CEO, and musician, Maff has been one of the most influential voices in social justice in the UK. Ten years ago, he started a global movement in his bedroom called Camerados, which is now present in almost 300 communities across six countries. Maff is probably most... Read more
Author, former government adviser, CEO, and musician, Maff has been one of the most influential voices in social justice in the UK. Ten years ago, he started a global movement in his bedroom called Camerados, which is now present in almost 300 communities across six countries. Maff is probably most notable for the piano he brings to keynote speeches. He uses jazz and boogie-woogie to convey powerful lessons in leadership, coping with risk, systems change, innovation, and communication, and gets everyone involved in what are always animated and thought-provoking sessions.
He also talks about overcoming mental health challenges and how to create a more human culture where the answer is connection. His own story includes overcoming grief and homelessness, turning the Millennium Dome into a homeless shelter, and dealing with extreme stress as a CEO when his charity hit the papers and went under. He also shares hugely hopeful stories about how we can navigate a world that often feels on fire.
He found hope on the streets when he began engaging in activism across the UK — turning up with a van and placing a living room on the pavement. In his book Friends and Purpose, he tells the stories of the people who sat down beside him. While the macro picture may be daunting, Maff believes there is plenty of hope and positivity to be found in ordinary neighbourhoods, between everyday people.