London, England, United Kingdom
Ben Weaver is a senior strategic adviser working across arts and culture, design, architecture and brand. He helps organisations sharpen positioning, build partnerships, develop public-facing projects and turn creative ambition into commercial outcomes. His career spans three decades and combines long-term independent advisory work with senior leadership roles at Tate, the National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, OMA, Aesop, Selfridges, and Greater London Authority. He was a key member of the team that launched Tate Modern, helping reposition Tate and develop new audiences through partnerships and campaigns. As a Director at the National Portrait Gallery, he led brand, communications, digital and commercial strategy during a major transformation. Earlier roles include Communications Director at OMA, working with Rem Koolhaas on international projects, and Creative Director at Aesop, leading creative direction across Australia, Asia, Europe and the US. Alongside these appointments, he has built a long-standing independent practice advising museums, brands, architecture studios, cities, founders and cultural organisations on growth, relevance, partnerships and strategic direction. He is known for combining cultural intelligence, commercial realism and a calm, practical approach. Today he works with a select portfolio of clients in the UK and internationally.
Long-standing independent advisory practice across culture, design, architecture, retail and public institutions. Helps organisations and founders shape projects, build partnerships, strengthen profile, reach new audiences and unlock commercial opportunity. Works across retained advisory relationships and focused strategic assignments including launches, exhibitions, campaigns, repositioning and growth planning. Experience includes Tate, Victoria and Albert Museum, Serpentine Galleries, National Portrait Gallery, Design Museum, Selfridges, OMA, Aesop, Marks & Spencer, Rinascente, Arts Council England, Greater London Authority, Channel 4 and Architecture Foundation. Recent work includes OF A Space in Reykjavik, Fondazione Gian Paolo Barbieri in Milan, Moderna Museet in Stockholm, and strategic counsel for cultural organisations in London and Milan. Known for combining cultural intelligence, commercial realism and calm senior judgement to turn ambitious ideas into real-world outcomes.
Advised on the London debut of OF A, a Reykjavik-based multidisciplinary studio, presented during Frieze and PAD London. The project transformed a Marylebone townhouse into an immersive environment bringing together architecture, art, design and performance, positioning the studio within an international cultural context. Led on creative direction and communications, shaping engagement with audiences, collaborators and press.
Invited to speak at Moderna Museet in Stockholm, drawing on work across institutions including Tate, the V&A, Somerset House, Selfridges and Greater London Authority. The talk explored the evolution of cultural institutions into hybrid ecosystems, referencing exhibition-making, partnerships and destination-led thinking, with reflections on Skeppsholmen as a cultural district.
Member of Executive Board and Director of National Portrait Gallery Company, with responsibility across marketing, communications, digital, design, retail, publishing, licensing and catering. Led strategic and operational delivery across multiple departments, combining public-facing functions with commercial activity and earned income generation. Helped modernise the organisation, grow digital reach, strengthen commercial performance and shape long-term strategy during the Inspiring People transformation programme. Supported a more entrepreneurial and data-informed culture, improved internal alignment and developed plans for future income growth, audience engagement and brand positioning. Worked across major exhibitions, stakeholder relations, patron activity, media profile and high-level external engagement.
Advised on a major public-facing cultural project marking a significant moment in the store’s evolution ahead of redevelopment by OMA. Developed and delivered Portrait of Berlin, a large-scale live photography event with Rankin that invited Berliners to participate in a collective portrait of the city. Used culture, participation and media attention to generate public goodwill, brand visibility and renewed relevance during a period of change. Helped position KaDeWe as more than a department store: a civic and cultural landmark.
Responsible for global creative strategy across more than 200 stores, aligning product, marketing, interiors and architecture through a consistent design-led brand vision. Worked across international teams, architects, designers and regional markets to ensure coherence while allowing local relevance and sensitivity. Helped strengthen Aesop’s position as one of the world’s most distinctive design-led consumer brands.
Advised on culture-led initiatives designed to strengthen brand profile, attract new audiences and differentiate the business within the premium retail market. Conceived, developed and promoted high-profile projects including Hacked, Afrofuture and Little Sun with Olafur Eliasson. Used contemporary culture, design and strategic partnerships to drive footfall, editorial attention and commercial relevance. Helped position Rinascente as a more progressive, internationally connected and culturally engaged retail brand.