
People of Synergy International

​Abhayan Varghese
Director
Ideas, Innovations & Operations
Abhayan Varghese explores the transformative effect of culture and creativity in the context of urbanisation and in our lives. His work focuses on advising governments and institutions to reimagine ways in which the cultural and creative industries can strengthen local-specificities, create public engagement, and drive inclusive people-entered developmental politics. With over 15 years of experience in research, policy, and action his work span public and private sectors, NGOs, and art and cultural institutions.

Sabin Iqbal
Director
Festivals & Conferences
Sabin Iqbal creates ways for governments, organisations, and businesses to leverage the transformative role of festivals and conferences in the context of cities. His work focuses on improving the city’s cultural vibrancy, raising the capacity and ambition of its cultural sector and strengthening its networks to reposition it within competitive global frameworks. With over 25 years of experience, his work span journalism, start-ups, and literature and art festivals; and he is a published author.

Vinu Jose
Director
People & Commercial
Vinu Jose is an advocate of human-centred commercial strategies that drive growth, create scale, and opportunities in the cultural and creative industries. His work focuses on creating sustainable solutions and support structures for governments, not-for-profits, and corporates to strengthen business planning, data analytics, economics, governance, and networks. With over 20 years of experience in executing projects, his work span diverse interests including public utilities and infrastructure, renewable energy, oil, commodities, and food.

Rafeek Rahman
Director
Projects & Possibilities
Rafeek Rahman has a keen interest and appreciation of the current digital and technology-driven opportunities while imagining urban spaces and cities. His work focuses on designing strategies for the cultural and creative sectors and the relations between the private and the public spheres in which they interact. With over 25 years of experience in consulting and nurturing entrepreneurship, his work span multiple domains including healthcare, education, media, IT, real estate, fashion, food, and tourism.

Sheethal Byshie
Director
Media & Business Development
Sheethal Byshie creates ways for governments, organisations, and businesses to leverage content, media, and communications for increased public action and engagement. Her work focuses on unearthing actionable insights and tracking shifts in society that allow for the amalgamation of competitive research, differentiation strategies, and making sense of the information chaos. With over 10 years of experience in engaging audiences to shape the desired action, her work spans interdisciplinary practices including IT, fashion, and social justice.
Advisors

Charles Landry
Chief Advisor
Creative Cities

Dr. Tom Fleming
Chief Advisor
City Mapping and Audit

David Parrish
Chief Advisor
Creative Industries

Upendranath T R
Chief Advisor
Artist Liaison

George Karikkampallil
Chief Advisor
Finance & Investor Relations

Dr. Katherine Loflin
Chief Advisor
Place Making