17 October 2025
It’s been an extraordinary October at Fane, marked by a successful debut for Fane as the headline sponsor at the Henley Literary Festival, new partnerships with Seat Unique and Performance Insights, and milestone events such as former President Barack Obama that continue to position us at the forefront of live cultural experiences in the UK.
An Evening with President Barack Obama
On 24 September, former President Barack Obama joined us for a sold-out evening at the London O2 in conversation with the acclaimed historian and broadcaster David Olusoga, drawing over 14,000 attendees.
Co-produced with Kilimanjaro Live and Singular and presented by Seat Unique, we offered audiences a rare opportunity to engage with President Obama’s reflections on leadership, democracy, and the future ahead. His candid conversation touched on the challenges facing modern society, from technological disruption to the erosion of truth in public discourse, all delivered with the eloquence and gravitas that defined his presidency.
The success of this event underscores Fane’s unique position in bringing world-class thought leaders to arena-scale venues.
Henley Literary Festival: Our Debut as Headline Sponsor
We were immensely proud to serve as the headline sponsor of the 2025 Henley Literary Festival, a partnership that represents our wider dedication to nurturing the UK’s vibrant cultural ecosystem.
Running from 3-12 October in the beautiful riverside town of Henley-on-Thames, the Festival welcomed over 120 conversations, performances, and workshops featuring some of the most exciting names in literature and culture. From Joanna Lumley’s opening proceedings to Monty Python legend Michael Palin discussing his latest book, to Graham Norton‘s engaging chat, the programming exemplifies the kind of thoughtful curation that aligns perfectly with Fane’s values. You may also have seen some familiar Fane faces in attendance; Mary Beard, Elizabeth Day, Nigel Planer, Sathnam Sanghera, Donna Ashworth and Tony Robinson to name a few.
David Olusoga Enters the Traitors Castle
Our very own David Olusoga, who so brilliantly interviewed President Obama at the O2, has swapped his historian’s cap for a rather different kind of investigation. The celebrated broadcaster and filmmaker has entered the Scottish Highlands as a contestant on the highly anticipated first series of The Celebrity Traitors, which premiered on BBC One on 8 October.
David joins an all-star cast including Alan Carr, Stephen Fry, Tom Daley, Charlotte Church, and Jonathan Ross in what promises to be television gold. The show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman, sees celebrities playing the ultimate game of deception for charity. Audiences nationwide are now watching to see whether our esteemed historian will prove to be a master detective or fall victim to the Traitors’ schemes. We’re already placing bets in the office on whether he’ll make it to the final!
If you want to see more of David in action, the historian and filmmaker will be heading on tour this November, exploring the history of weapons that changed the world in A Gun Through Time. Get your tickets here.
Looking Ahead
As we move through autumn, Fane’s calendar remains packed. From Formula 1 legends Susie & Toto Wolff, to gardening guru Adam Frost, historian and national treasure Mary Beard, and comedic icon Rory Bremner, we continue to curate experiences that bring you closer to the people you admire.
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