Chairman of the 2008 Judging Panel

After training in architecture, working as a product designer, then as an interior designer and as a graphic designer, Michael Wolff decided it was time to start his own company. And in the autumn of 1964, he joined up with Wally Olins in Camden Town, London, and Wolff Olins was born.

Under Michael’s creative leadership, Wolff Olins became the foremost European company in ‘corporate identity’ — and one of the most effective branding companies in the world. Among their clients were Audi, Apple (the Beatles, not computers), P&O, Renault, 3i, Pilkington and Volkswagen.

He left Wolff Olins in1983 to lead the Addison design company. Clients there included London Underground, The high speed train in Spain, The Barcelona Olympic Games, BP, Jaguar and Shell Michael now runs Michael Wolff & Company in London, England.

Most recent clients have been and are 3i, Mothercare and the Ministry of Sound in the UK – Citibank and Citigroup in the US – and a new bank with no name yet, in Russia.

“I’ve never stuck to one view of what is good in design. My personal goals have always been: to help organizations to express themselves, in their own particular way, for the benefit of anyone with whom they’re involved. And do this in a way that brings value to everyone and to the world that we all share.”

Dean Webb spent 14 years at BMP (now DDB), six months in Australia, a year and a bit at McCanns London and filled in the gaps with freelance. He is now a full-time copywriter at The Red Brick Road. He has won various awards for clients such as Volkswagen, The Guardian and American Airlines.

Sarah has over 10 years experience in the premium goods branding. Her projects include : Selfridges identity and packaging, Harrods packaging, Waitrose, Vinhos Sogrape (Mateus), Ballantines, LVMH and St Pancras. She has won numerous design awards and is a member of D&AD for outstanding work in typography. She also holds the Creative Review 'Packaging Design of the Year' title.

Garry started his career in branded packaging with DIA before joining Newell and Sorrell, completing work for Berol, WH Smith and Cadburys. He also designed own-brand packaging for both Boots and Halfords, winning two Design Effectiveness Awards and two Marketing Awards. He went on to the New York office in 1992, where he worked on projects for Berol, Bristol Myers and Grumbacher. Garry transferred to the corporate practice in 1995 and became a Creative Director. His work includes corporate identities for Deutsche BA, Air Liberté, Manchester United and the British Airways global identity, a New York Festivals Award winner. In 1996 he became an Associate Director of Newell and Sorrell, later Interbrand. 

Garry joined The Fourth Room in 1998 as Creative Director, where he provided design and brand advice for clients including Nokia, Sainsbury's, Barclays and 3i. He was involved in the creation of brand strategies, brand architecture, naming projects and identities for Arcadia, Betdaq, General Motors, Quintessentially, MFI, Nortel, Easynet and Rank Hovis McDougall . He became a Partner of The Fourth Room in 2000. 

Garry joined Rose as a Director in 2003. Established in 1999, they in brand identity and its implementation, from powerful logotypes to engaging printed literature, marketing communications and web design. Rose has worked with many high profile clients including Tate, BBC Worldwide, Whitbread, BAFTA , The Old Vic, Lloyds TSB, Virgin, D&AD, and Royal Mail, across a diverse range of sectors, picking up numerous international awards for creativity along the way. 

Garry has had several articles published in design magazines around the world, judged numerous including D&AD and lectured for the International design body, Icograda. 

Nick Finney is director at London based design consultancy NB Studio.

Graduating in 1990 from Somerset College of Art, his career started with stamp designer Howard Brown. 

He joined Pentagram London a year later where he worked with partner John Rushworth and associate Vince Frost and continued his education in the craft of good design. 

Nick co-founded NB Studio in 1997 and has worked with a number of clients including; D&AD, INSEAD, Knoll, Land Securities, National Portrait Gallery and Tate Modern.  

His work has been shown in numerous international design magazines and won recognition with D&AD, Design Week Awards, ISTD, ADNY, Graphis, ADC, and his Mum.

During his time at Leo Burnett John has worked as Creative Director on many of the Agency’s largest accounts.

He was leading CD on McDonald’s Happy Meal business for the UK and Europe for many years, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the issues faced by parents.

John is still CD responsible for Kellogg’s kids brands for the UK and, over the last 10 years, has helped build brands like Frosties and Coco Pops into the market leaders they are today.

John also has considerable international experience on Procter & Gamble Laundry and Max Factor.

John was also CD for Europe, Africa and Eastern Europe on Western Union money transfer – understanding the many local cultural differences that need to be incorporated into campaigns for this client.

And while at Burnett’s John has been involved in many award winning campaigns for such clients as United Airlines, Nickleodeon and Walt Disney.

He has worked at a number of blue chip agencies over the years, working on business like P&G, Virgin Atlantic, COI, Nestlé, RAC,,Palitoy and Batchelors Foods.

For 6 years John ran his own agency, winning business like Texaco, Polygram Records and Dairy Crest.

John is very happily married with two grown-up kids, Jemma and Joel.