meet THE founder

I’ve always been unapologetically curious, which is what led me to found Curious Agenda CIC in 2022.

My love of curiosity really took off whilst studying history at Cambridge. I was particularly fascinated by how people behaved under fear and power, how race, gender and belief shaped lives from medieval queens to ancient Greeks. That lens, “why did people act like that?”, has never left me. It led me into teaching, mentoring and later producing festivals and community projects, where I’ve seen again and again the benefits that come from giving people space to ask questions, play and explore.

I’m also neurodivergent (ADHD) and a former international model, two experiences that taught me a lot about how different minds work and how shallow things can feel when curiosity is missing. Wanting to go deeper, I studied advanced psychological research at Goldsmiths, teaching at UCL and then did a full deep‑dive into the science of curiosity after founding Curious Agenda. The research confirmed what I’d felt in my own life: a curious mindset isn’t just nice to have, it boosts creativity, improves decision‑making, supports mental wellbeing and helps teams handle change without burning out.

Now I bring all of that, classroom experience, creative production, lived neurodivergent perspective and research‑backed tools, into our curiosity training. My job is to design playful, practical sessions that help people think differently, connect better and feel more energised at work. In short: I help teams turn curiosity from a vague idea into a real advantage.

Miia Forbes

CURIOUS Collaborators

CURIOSITY COORDINATOR

Amber is a Community Developer

AMBER ROSE THERON

Wendy is stood side on to the camera in a pale yellow coat with large lapels. She has blue eues and blond wavy hair

My curiosity is sparked by

Get to know some of our highly talented and experienced collaborators…

COURAGE & CURIOSITY PARTNER

Wendy is an award winning, international speaker, trainer and intergovernmental and private company consultant, who specialises in encouraging teams and individuals to move with courage. As well as collaborating on training combining the linked traits of curiosity and courage, as a mentor, she brings expertise in delivering to corporate aims.

WENDY ADDISON

My curiosity is ignited immersing myself in Nature, because Nature yields awe-inspiring discoveries that create meanings & feelings of connection & wonder. Through curiosity, I’m able to recognise my place in the passage of ages, by grasping the intricacy, beauty & subtlety of life. This gifts me with a soaring feeling, a sense of elation, gratitude & humility combined.

CURIOSITY-INSPIRED COLLABORATOR

Richard is a world-renowned actor, improviser, comedian, writer and musician famous for adding creative layers to shows such as Whose Line Is It Anyway? and for holding a Guiness World Record with the Comedy Store Players. With Curious Agenda he consults and leads improv workshops within training programmes.

RICHARD VRANCH

I'm curious about how the Universe works. About how things are connected. About technology evolving faster than humanity. About what we have in common. About why people believe things which are evidently false. About things which we can't yet imagine.

YOUTH CURIOSITY AMBASSADOR

Charlie is a musician, creative, producer and technician passionate about the power of curiosity and music to change young lives for the better. Alongside Curious Agenda, he informs youth strategy and develops event logistics.

CHARLIE Johnson

I’m curious about how sound can travel and how it can be manipulated into different spaces. I am also curious about how music, community and helpfulness combine to make the world better, and how to use these to create a fulfilling place in the world for myself.

CURATOR OF ARTISTIC WONDER

Esme is an interdisciplinary freelancer and ‘Can-Do Creative’, currently working as a singer, immersive actor and events producer. She also runs the immersive event Cabarave amongst a team, and has previously found herself producing plays, managing festival stages and walkabouts, and supporting Curious Agenda during their arts festival in Hastings. Highly adept at inspiring curiosity, Esme works on Curious Agenda’s training programmes, as well as event production.

ESME SARFAS

When i find myself lacking in creativity or a zest for life I often turn to the works of others. Reading books, watching films, listening to music ...all of this stuff is incredible and at our fingertips. Another thing I think is important is to remain playful and childlike. Be silly. Actively try it. Write a silly poem about spaghetti or hop down the street. Ask a friend to put you on their shoulders.
Curiosity, in my opinion, comes from an acceptance that we do not and cannot know everything, and frees you up to have wonder in you again, just like in childhood. When I unlock my playful, childlike side I can find basically anything curious! We live in a curious world, we are just so used to it we forget! Sometimes remembering how a TV remote is essentially a magic wand and thinking about what a bus would look like to an ant can reframe the world into a once again magical and curious place.

CURIOUS BUSINESS ALCHEMIST

Kasperi is the Head of Commercial at Carmoola, a direct-to-consumer fintech company taking power away from the hands of dealerships. Prior to working for Carmoola, he has worked at some of UK's other major start-ups such as ClearScore and Cazoo, although prides himself in otherwise avoiding C-words! With Curious Agenda, he helps bridge the gap between commerciality, curiosity and creativity.

KASPERI LEWIS

I’m curious about how to help make the world a better, less unequal place. About how education about inequality could be the key to resolving almost all of our societal imbalances. About how to maximise quality of life well into the later years. About how curious and creative individuals can leverage my commercial skills to turn their passion into a new life. About how Arsenal didn’t win the premier league last season!

MUSICAL VISIONARY LEADER

Jim is a talented professional drummer, musician and teacher with over 25 years experience teaching and running workshops. He also creates and directs successful community projects like Worthing Steel Band. Jim has a wealth of experience running workshops which have featured at events including The Arundel Festival, End Of The Road, Greenbelt, Camp Bestival and more. Jim’s steelpan workshops have been a highlight of Curious Agenda’s events and Jim also brings his expertise to curious training.

JIM BERNARDIN

People's backstories, how they became who they are, what life events shaped or inspired them, their direction, with work, skills and passions and relationships. Character traits. These things pique my curiosity; how we grow, change and become who we are, and how we all hold the power to affect ourselves and others.