Founder and Director of ESPR, Eva Simpson, took to the stage at the inaugural SXSW London festival earlier this month, speaking on a powerful panel titled “I See Culture: Crafting Legacy Through Cultural Competency.”
The event, held at a packed venue in Shoreditch, East London, brought together creatives and thought leaders from across the UK and beyond. Joined by Eva Omaghomi, the founder of Forster Jones Associates, a culture architect and Community Engagement Advisor to King Charles III, and Irene Agbontaen, the Director of Artist Brand Strategy (Europe) at UTA and also the founder of TTYA London, a fashion brand for tall women, and a respected voice in music and fashion, Eva spoke passionately about her career journey – from breaking barriers in Fleet Street newsrooms to launching award-winning agency ESPR. The session drew a full house, with standing room only, as Eva shared her perspective on why cultural capital is not only important but vital.
Drawing on her 20+ year career – from national newspapers including The Times, thelondonpaper and the Daily Mirror, to founding one of the UK’s leading PR agencies specialising in complex race and inclusion narratives – Eva spoke about how cultural capital should be embraced, not downplayed.
“People often think culture is something that will hold them back,” Eva told the audience. “But our backgrounds, our accents, our ways of seeing the world – they’re our power. They shape how we connect, create and lead.”
Eva launched ESPR, a black-owned UK PR agency to amplify unheard voices, particularly black communities and across Africa, and help organisations navigate sensitive cultural issues with authenticity and strategy. The agency has worked or partnered with a range of high-profile clients, including Buckingham Palace, NHS, Universal Records, and The Church of England. ESPR also supports the visibility of Black leaders and entrepreneurs including Dean Forbes, Eric Collins, and Kevin Okyere.
The panel was part of a broader programme of SXSW London sessions focused on innovation, culture and identity. The success of the “I See Culture” panel highlighted the growing appetite for meaningful conversations around race, representation and legacy within media and communications.
ESPR continues to lead in this space, offering strategic PR rooted in cultural awareness and lived experience.
If you’re interested in working with us or would like to invite Eva to speak at your event, please get in touch:
📧 hello@es-pr.co.uk
🌐 www.es-pr.co.uk
ENDS
Written by Grace Akintunde