All the highlights from Soho Summit 2025, powered by Porsche
From panels to performances, take a look at some of the memorable moments from the festival of ideas at Soho Farmhouse
Tuesday 6 May 2025 By Chloe Lawrance. Photography by Adam Fussell
Last week, members gathered at our Oxfordshire outpost for the latest Soho Summit, our festival of ideas and creativity powered by Porsche. Over three days, Soho Farmhouse hosted tastemakers and industry leaders from the worlds of art, music, film and fashion for discussions, workshops, screenings, and more. And, of course, we were there to capture all the highlights as members pondered the question: ‘how can courage inspire creative change?’.
Within the grounds, members took in Yinka Ilori’s sculpture ‘Beacon of Dreaming’, which was created for our first summit, powered by Porsche at Soho Farmhouse back in 2023. The piece was designed as part of the Soho Visionaries series with Porsche, which amplifies the voices of established and upcoming artists and creative changemakers who, like Ferry Porsche, have the courage to dream.
There was also a host of classic and new Porsche models on display throughout the three days, including a Porsche 963 and 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, a preview of the new Porsche 911 Spirit 70, plus a car display from the Porsche GT Circle community. Motorsport is more than just a sport – it’s a passion, a source of emotion, and a collection of stories that go far beyond the track, the victories, and the defeats. At its core lies a spirit of courage – the same drive that pushes us to work relentlessly and fuels true creativity. Racing culture is woven into Porsche’s DNA.
Throughout Thursday and Friday, the Farmyard Bar served a specially curated Seedlip non-alcoholic cocktail menu, and in the Mill Room the Simply Kalmado, created by Melwyn Dela Cruz from Electric House in partnership with Porsche, was available to members.
Wednesday 30 April
Guests arrived on Wednesday, checking in to their bedrooms, enjoying the amenities around Soho Farmhouse or joining us for our first event: a screening of Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, complete with a live introduction from the mind behind Bridget, Helen Fielding. This was followed by a special welcome dinner for bedroom guests in the newly refreshed Pen Yen restaurant, with a live musical performance by Sasha Keable.
There was also a host of classic and new Porsche models on display throughout the three days, including a Porsche 963 and 718 Cayman GT4 RS Clubsport, a preview of the new Porsche 911 Spirit 70, plus a car display from the Porsche GT Circle community. Motorsport is more than just a sport – it’s a passion, a source of emotion, and a collection of stories that go far beyond the track, the victories, and the defeats. At its core lies a spirit of courage – the same drive that pushes us to work relentlessly and fuels true creativity. Racing culture is woven into Porsche’s DNA.
Throughout Thursday and Friday, the Farmyard Bar served a specially curated Seedlip non-alcoholic cocktail menu, and in the Mill Room the Simply Kalmado, created by Melwyn Dela Cruz from Electric House in partnership with Porsche, was available to members.
Wednesday 30 April
Guests arrived on Wednesday, checking in to their bedrooms, enjoying the amenities around Soho Farmhouse or joining us for our first event: a screening of Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy, complete with a live introduction from the mind behind Bridget, Helen Fielding. This was followed by a special welcome dinner for bedroom guests in the newly refreshed Pen Yen restaurant, with a live musical performance by Sasha Keable.
Thursday 1 May
On Thursday, members enjoyed a bumper line-up of talks from industry tastemakers. In the Hay Barn, proceedings kicked off with musical legend Bernie Taupin in conversation with actor Kiefer Sutherland. The pair discussed Taupin’s childhood in a rural town, where poetry and classic Western fiction inspired his own desire to write, the ‘state of desperation’ that led him to responding to an advert for Lucky Records – and his first encounter with Elton John – and his recent memoir, which he describes as ‘a testament to my life’.
Next, artist Harland Miller spoke to Soho House Chief Art Director, Kate Bryan. The close friends have worked together many times, with Miller’s works appearing within the Soho House art collections around the world. He shared a look into his creative process, which often sees him painting into the early hours of the morning, as well as the way his mother’s passing caused him to become more ‘intuitive’ with his craft.
In the afternoon, author Helen Fielding sat down with Dolly Alderton to discuss the lasting phenomenon of Bridget Jones. The pair shared their mutual love for Jane Austen, and contemplated the ways Bridget’s authenticity and emotional honesty continues to connect with new generations of women. Fielding also shared insights into working with Hugh Grant – who, she confirms, is just as charming as his character Daniel Cleaver.
Later, Alex Scott chaired a panel with former Formula 1-turned-Porsche endurance driver, Felipe Nasr, and GT driver for the Iron Dames, Rahel Frey, both Porsche ambassadors. Nasr and Frey joined Maya Raichoora, a leading mental fitness expert and founder of Remap Mental Fitness. The trio explored the intricacies of performing under pressure, with members taking away plenty of tips for handling tension in their own lives, like Nasr’s advice to ‘have the right expectations and know the task ahead of you. All you can control is yourself.’
On Thursday, members enjoyed a bumper line-up of talks from industry tastemakers. In the Hay Barn, proceedings kicked off with musical legend Bernie Taupin in conversation with actor Kiefer Sutherland. The pair discussed Taupin’s childhood in a rural town, where poetry and classic Western fiction inspired his own desire to write, the ‘state of desperation’ that led him to responding to an advert for Lucky Records – and his first encounter with Elton John – and his recent memoir, which he describes as ‘a testament to my life’.
Next, artist Harland Miller spoke to Soho House Chief Art Director, Kate Bryan. The close friends have worked together many times, with Miller’s works appearing within the Soho House art collections around the world. He shared a look into his creative process, which often sees him painting into the early hours of the morning, as well as the way his mother’s passing caused him to become more ‘intuitive’ with his craft.
In the afternoon, author Helen Fielding sat down with Dolly Alderton to discuss the lasting phenomenon of Bridget Jones. The pair shared their mutual love for Jane Austen, and contemplated the ways Bridget’s authenticity and emotional honesty continues to connect with new generations of women. Fielding also shared insights into working with Hugh Grant – who, she confirms, is just as charming as his character Daniel Cleaver.
Later, Alex Scott chaired a panel with former Formula 1-turned-Porsche endurance driver, Felipe Nasr, and GT driver for the Iron Dames, Rahel Frey, both Porsche ambassadors. Nasr and Frey joined Maya Raichoora, a leading mental fitness expert and founder of Remap Mental Fitness. The trio explored the intricacies of performing under pressure, with members taking away plenty of tips for handling tension in their own lives, like Nasr’s advice to ‘have the right expectations and know the task ahead of you. All you can control is yourself.’
We were then joined by Hollywood star Rebel Wilson, who chatted to friend Judi Love about finding the courage to pursue your creative dreams – even when people doubt you. Wilson shared stories from her time growing up in Australia – including her unexpected education in ‘space law’ – and how learning to embrace the things that had previously set her back eventually became her biggest assets once she reached Hollywood. She also revealed how she learned to deal with rejection: ‘Pizza Hut all you can eat buffet.’
Gillian Anderson sat down with Dawn Airey to discuss her multifaceted career as an actor, author and now entrepreneur, which Anderson describes as ‘absolutely bonkers’. The conversation explored the passion she brings to every one of her projects, from functional drinks brand G. Spot and characters like The Fall’s Stella Gibson, to upcoming film project The Salt Path, set for release this month.
Gillian Anderson sat down with Dawn Airey to discuss her multifaceted career as an actor, author and now entrepreneur, which Anderson describes as ‘absolutely bonkers’. The conversation explored the passion she brings to every one of her projects, from functional drinks brand G. Spot and characters like The Fall’s Stella Gibson, to upcoming film project The Salt Path, set for release this month.
Finishing the day’s discussions, founder Nick Jones was joined by Andrew Carnie, Vanessa Xuereb and Markus Anderson to reminisce about 30 years of Soho House. Surprise interviewer James Corden quizzed the group on some of their favourite memories and biggest challenges over the last three decades. ‘Opening Soho House New York,’ says Jones. ‘Taking this small, British company to the US felt quite frightening; if it didn’t work out, we knew that was it.’
Throughout the day, the Barwell Barn played host to a variety of hands-on workshops – from getting the perfect shot with photographer Adam Fussell to acing interior design with the Soho Home team. In the screening room, members sat down for a special viewing of Michael Fassbender: Road To Le Mans, powered by Porsche, ahead of two masterclasses – something new to Soho Summit this year. Industry creators Konrad Kay and Mickey Down discussed how to make a watercooler TV show, and literary publisher and founder of Dialogue Books, Sharmaine Lovegrove, gave attendees advice for securing their first publishing deal.
For bedroom guests, the day came to a close with a relaxed dinner held in the Hay Barn. As members dined, singer Self Esteem performed tracks from her new album, A Complicated Woman.
Throughout the day, the Barwell Barn played host to a variety of hands-on workshops – from getting the perfect shot with photographer Adam Fussell to acing interior design with the Soho Home team. In the screening room, members sat down for a special viewing of Michael Fassbender: Road To Le Mans, powered by Porsche, ahead of two masterclasses – something new to Soho Summit this year. Industry creators Konrad Kay and Mickey Down discussed how to make a watercooler TV show, and literary publisher and founder of Dialogue Books, Sharmaine Lovegrove, gave attendees advice for securing their first publishing deal.
For bedroom guests, the day came to a close with a relaxed dinner held in the Hay Barn. As members dined, singer Self Esteem performed tracks from her new album, A Complicated Woman.
Friday 2 May
The final day of Soho Summit began stylishly in the screening room, with Dunhill’s creative director Simon Holloway offering a masterclass about building a luxury brand in today’s tough market, hosted by writer Raven Smith.
In the Barwell Barn, actor, rapper and director Ashley Walters sat down with Chief Content Officer Jonathan Heaf for the penultimate talk of Soho Summit. As the critically acclaimed Netflix series Adolescence continues to make waves, Walters dug deep on his path to success. He spoke about the duality of his upbringing, living between the worlds of The Sylvia Young Theatre School on the weekends and the streets of south London during the week. He also discussed managing high-functioning anxiety, and the expectations he felt growing up.
To close out Soho Summit, we hosted one of the most pressing talks in the event’s line-up, as Munroe Bergdorf sat down in conversation with Clara Amfo. The pair discussed why it’s more important than ever that cis-gender people stand up for the rights of trans people, a ‘human rights issue’. They also explored her upcoming documentary Love & Rage, which was filmed over the course of three years. Bergdorf spoke about the difficulty of the process – one that she had, at times, found difficult, giving up her privacy in order to tell such an essential story.
A big thank you to Porsche, our flight partner for Soho Summit 2025 Virgin Atlantic, and our supporting partner Seedlip.
The final day of Soho Summit began stylishly in the screening room, with Dunhill’s creative director Simon Holloway offering a masterclass about building a luxury brand in today’s tough market, hosted by writer Raven Smith.
In the Barwell Barn, actor, rapper and director Ashley Walters sat down with Chief Content Officer Jonathan Heaf for the penultimate talk of Soho Summit. As the critically acclaimed Netflix series Adolescence continues to make waves, Walters dug deep on his path to success. He spoke about the duality of his upbringing, living between the worlds of The Sylvia Young Theatre School on the weekends and the streets of south London during the week. He also discussed managing high-functioning anxiety, and the expectations he felt growing up.
To close out Soho Summit, we hosted one of the most pressing talks in the event’s line-up, as Munroe Bergdorf sat down in conversation with Clara Amfo. The pair discussed why it’s more important than ever that cis-gender people stand up for the rights of trans people, a ‘human rights issue’. They also explored her upcoming documentary Love & Rage, which was filmed over the course of three years. Bergdorf spoke about the difficulty of the process – one that she had, at times, found difficult, giving up her privacy in order to tell such an essential story.
A big thank you to Porsche, our flight partner for Soho Summit 2025 Virgin Atlantic, and our supporting partner Seedlip.
