How to Walk Into the Room When You Feel You Don't Belong
The worst time to start networking is when you really need something.
But you put it off because it's awkward and uncomfortable and there's always something more urgent.
Until suddenly you're stuck, you need help... and you've got no idea who to ask.
Make 17 November the evening when you finally stop avoiding this.
A practical evening about networking, confidence, access and finding your people.
Most of us were never actually taught how to network properly.
So, we're bringing together very different perspectives on what it takes to walk into the room, make connections and build a network.
Hosted by networking trainer and Advertising Week Europe Future Is Female 2026 winner Susi Castle. Joined by Campaign UK Inspiring Women 2026 winner Sangeetha Mahadevan and MEFA Change-Maker of the Year Rich Miles, Amos Eretusi, founder of The Kusp, Kian Bakhtiari, founder of THE PEOPLE, and Mercurius Saad, CEO and co-founder of Tutorbloc.
Thank you to DoubleVerify for hosting us at 1 New Oxford Street, Holborn.
Why this evening
Networking matters. But access to networks isn't equal, the rules are often unwritten, and too much advice assumes confidence is something you either have or you don't.
We're interested in something much more useful: what actually helps you get better at it?
Expect honest stories, different perspectives, practical ideas and some disagreement – around class, culture, identity, privilege, confidence, community and the things nobody teaches you.
Your next job is more likely to come from someone you know a little than from your closest friends. That’s what a study of 20 million LinkedIn users found.
People referred by a business contact start on around 16% higher pay. Who you know shows up in your payslip.
Senior executives with well-connected networks are paid nearly 20% more than similar peers. Your network is part of your value.
The shape of the evening
This is not going to be 90 minutes of people sitting on a stage talking about networking.
Our current plan looks like:
6.00pm – arrival with a warm greeting and guided, intentional networking; plus quiet corners if you're not ready to throw yourself in yet
6.30pm – welcome
6.40pm – first panel
7.10pm – get up, move around and put it into practice
7.40pm – second panel
8.10pm – Q&A, stay, talk and meet more people.
This running order is deliberately provisional.
The principle won't change: you'll network, with our help.
Your hosts and speakers
Sangeetha Mahadevan – Managing Partner at OM Unite, Omnicom Media, the inclusive marketing agency, with a 16-year international career spanning South Asia, East Asia, the Middle East and the UK. Her work has included campaigns for Mondelez, Virgin Media O2, the NHS, UK Government and Open University, as well as a Cannes-shortlisted Tata Group campaign designed to empower 100 million women to vote. In 2026 she won Campaign UK's Inspiring Women Award – Making Media Matter; she has also won a WACL Talent Award, is a winner of Advertising Week's Future Is Female 2025 and The Media Leader's Future 100 class of 2023.
Rich Miles – former Creative Director, CEO + Founder of The Diversity Standards Collective, and one of 30 people selected for The Marketing Academy's 2026 UK Scholarship. DSC has grown into a global network of more than 10,000 diverse voices, working with brands including Coca-Cola, Netflix and adidas. Rich was named MEFA Change-Maker of the Year 2025 for his work changing how the marketing industry includes and represents diverse communities.
Amos Eretusi – Founder & MD of The Kusp, a non-profit improving access for underrepresented talent in the creative media industries, and co-founder of The Kusp Hub. An experienced community builder, he focuses on creating inclusive ecosystems where diverse talent can thrive, locally and globally.
Mercurius Saad – CEO & Co-founder of Tutorbloc, the operating system for educators to run their one-to-one teaching business, backed by Innovate UK and Atomico. He previously managed more than £50m in advertising spend for global brands, was a mentor at SXSW London, served four years on the board of Impact Hub London and is an active angel investor.
Kian Bakhtiari – Founder of THE PEOPLE, a global Gen Z and Gen Alpha consultancy. He is listed as one of the Financial Times' Top 50 Future Leaders, and is the author of the award-winning book Marketing for Social Change, a Forbes contributor and a One Young World Ambassador. He is deeply passionate about using the power of creativity for good.
Susi Castle – Founder of Anders & True, marketing consultant and networking trainer, with 20 years in business and three A-grade Mark Ritson MiniMBAs. She won the WACL Talent Award and Patricia Mann Award, and in 2026 was named Bloom's Ally of the Year. She was also one of the winners of Advertising Week Europe's Future Is Female 2026, selected from more than 1,000 applicants.