Engin Celikbas
With nearly 30 years of experience as a CEO, entrepreneur, advisor, and investor, Engin Celikbas focuses on driving growth and innovation. He currently leads Future Stores as Managing Partner, where the company is reimagining the role of physical retail by creating flexible, tech-enabled spaces that blend commerce, media, and brand experiences. Its Oxford Street flagship serves as a live platform for brands to experiment, engage shoppers, and activate campaigns at the heart of London’s busiest retail district. Engin also advises and invests in ventures like Billy Grace, an AI-powered platform that optimizes paid advertising performance by automating creative testing and audience targeting across digital channels. Previously, he was CEO and partner at Anomaly, working with global brands including T-Mobile, Diesel, and IKEA, and has invested in successful ventures such as Coffee Company, XBank, and several hospitality brands.
Speaking at
The Vaults/Well
Pedestrianising Oxford Street: Examining the Benefits and Costs of Transforming the UK’s Most Iconic Retail Destination
- Will full pedestrianisation boost footfall and experience, or complicate operations and retail recovery?
- What are the practical challenges around servicing, deliveries, and emergency access?
- What does a fully pedestrianised Oxford Street mean for experiential retail, meanwhile uses, and activation strategies?
- What knock-on effects should we expect for surrounding streets and neighbourhoods?
- Is the proposed timeline realistic and what needs to happen to meet it without disruption?
- Why are industry opinions so split? What does this debate reveal about the future of high street design?
- What role must landlords, retailers, planners, and the council play in shaping the outcome?