Nick likes to jump in at the deep end. He got into horses after a trainer said that if he learned to ride he would let him have a go on a racehorse. Three weeks later guess where Nick was. It’s this determination that makes him Kindred.
Ruth just doesn’t have an ‘off’ switch. When she’s not thinking about her client’s issues or an agency project, Ruth’s coordinating the school run, keeping tabs on tradesmen and training towards her next marathon. And her response when she’s ticked something off the to-do list is not to put her feet up, but to say “ok, what’s next?” It’s this never ending energy that makes Ruth Kindred.
Pelé. The finest player to have graced a football pitch. Where others just played the game, Pelé stamped every pass and run with his personality. Creativity, flair, enthusiasm. That's what makes John Kindred.
A bus, a tube, a coach, a ferry, another bus and a very long walk with a heavy backpack – all this to experience an inspiring weekend of expression, talent and flamboyance at a festival. Shona is always willing to get stuck in and get her hands dirty in order to achieve fantastic results. This fun-loving and positive attitude is what makes her Kindred.
Larkin, Ellroy, Peace, Burns, Simon, Chayefsky. Everyone has the same letters available; some people just arrange them better. Ben lives in the hope that one day he’ll write something as good as these guys. This pursuit of creative excellence makes him Kindred.
A lover of beautiful things – namely leather handbags – George knows to balance aesthetics with functionality. A good bag has to have quality of design, depth, be able to carry whatever is needed whilst allowing the owner to stand out from a crowd. Like her trusty holdalls (and there’s many), these are qualities that George aspires to deliver on behalf of her clients; that’s what makes her Kindred.
If handed a hula hoop, you’d find it hard to stop Laura. Never one to give up, she practised from an early age until she was near perfect. Now, Laura continues to focus on succeeding in whatever she sets her mind to. It’s her determination to see every task through to its successful conclusion that makes Laura Kindred.
Is getting thrown about the high seas on a windsurfer such a very different experience to art directing? John doesn’t think so. They both require tenacity, an ability to cope with constantly changing environments, and they are both quite humbling, as you never master them. Being addicted to them both – that’s what makes John Kindred. (Only one requires a silly hat.)
Rona's love for fixing broken, run down things has made her a bit of a scavenger. From rewiring to restoring furniture, figuring out how things are built is something she has always had an interest in. Being able to see the potential where others see no value is what makes her Kindred.
Clare recently completed a road trip across the States to visit Dollywood, Tennessee and is still hoping her dream of duetting with Dolly on ‘Islands in the Stream’ will one day come true. She has been an avid fan of Ms Parton for as long as she can remember. Her creative song writing abilities, outlook on life and intelligent sense of humour are all an inspiration. The fact that Clare will try anything, even line-dancing, makes her Kindred.
As well as showcasing his Bonham-esque triplets on the stages of London town, Andy still finds time to bang the drum for the causes he believes in. As a natural showman, he understands how creativity and flair should be mixed to give things that unmistakable groove. This ability to create a big bang is what makes him Kindred.
Sharon didn’t want her picture taken so she hid her face. Although she’s certainly not the shy and retiring type, she isn’t one to show off or flaunt it in front of the camera. No arrogance, no fluff, no ego. That’s what makes her Kindred.
Food is more than just sustenance, it has the power to inspire, shock, excite, delight and impress. Whilst Anton doesn’t think he’s written an ad that tops his slow cooked boeuf bourguignon, he always aspires to produce something unforgettable, be it in his kitchen or at his desk at work. That’s what makes him Kindred.
Chris loves playing sport. Whether it be with his cricket team 'the Dreamers', rugby with the Old Boys team, or a round of golf. To be honest, it doesn't matter what it is, so long as there is some healthy competition and fun involved, he is in. That's what makes Chris Kindred.
Matt’s time as a professional DJ taught him how to help people relax, let go and be themselves. It means he knows how to get the best out of people. This emotional intelligence, and understanding of what people want and need, definitely makes him Kindred.
As a planner in the agency, whenever Julie can’t see the woods for the trees, she dons her running kit and heads for the hills with her dog Bo. Fresh air, perspiration and grit usually result in some clarity of thought, which definitely makes her Kindred.
Sam has been playing the guitar since 1995, and his musical tastes haven’t changed much since. He still hopes that, one day, Noel Gallagher, James Dean Bradfield, Paul Weller, Paul McCartney and Phil Selway will form some kind of amazing supergroup. This belief that anything is possible, however unlikely, makes him Kindred.
Jessica likes sailing. Sometimes on the Mediterranean or Red Sea, but usually in Norfolk. That’s why she needs to wrap up warm and dry in this fetching attire. It’s Jessica’s ability to weather the storms and come out smiling that makes her Kindred.
Biking a 20 mile round trip to work every day, Ross has endurance and energy to burn in abundance. The morning chase against other cyclists gets him fired up but his enthusiasm and energy are what make him shine throughout the day. This is what makes him Kindred.
Girls just want to have fun, and Amelia has such an appetite for it that she's always ready to wolf down second helpings of the stuff: be it fancy dress parties, gigs around town or comedy events. This infectious nature follows her into the office, where she's always ready to achieve the impossible with a smile and a giggle. And if tube strikes threaten to get in her way? She'll think of some other mode of transport - as you can see. This is what makes her Kindred.
After two decades and a million mishits, Chris has acquired more than just recurrent tennis elbow. He can finally strike most strokes present in the tennis textbook, plus the occasional one that isn’t. Along the way he also gained experience on PR, advertising and digital marketing campaigns. He can serve on any integrated project. That’s what makes him Kindred.
Passion, excitement, emotion. These are the main reasons Kelly invests her time and (way too much) money on attending every live event going. She’s been known to queue overnight for tickets, listen to Snow Patrol in the rain and even watch her beloved Spurs play at Arsenal in the home end. Being a fanatic in everything she does is what makes Kelly Kindred.
Any problem can be overcome if you think about it in the right way – preferably over a cup of tea and a biscuit. Anastasia always has the biccies at the ready. This solutions-focused approach is what makes her Kindred.
A personal grand design (albeit on a somewhat smaller scale) is creating an inspirational living space that also works for a young family and a big, hairy dog. Such opposing forces require a combination of passion and pragmatism. Which is precisely what makes Andy Kindred.
As a big fan of Japanese anime, Ché spent several years studying character modelling and 3D animation to bring his creations to life. He later created a virtual world where these characters can interact and grow, and like his ever evolving creations Ché considers himself a work in progress. This constant exploration of new technologies and interactive experiences are what make him Kindred.
To some, he’s a music bore and to others just an anorak. Max hoards CDs and music trivia like a retired DJ. He talks about music, he tweets about music, he uses it to illustrate cultural trends and he uses it to inspire. It’s his unshakeable belief in the power of creative expression that makes him Kindred.
Get in, give it a go, learn from your mistakes and be proud of your successes. Brayton applies his typical Kiwi attitude to his cooking and to life. If he doesn’t have the knowledge to accomplish a result, “give ‘em a sec” and he’ll learn. This attitude definitely makes him Kindred.
Matt has a taste for fine wine. Recognising quality is important in the day job too. Matt knows the real skill is finding great value, not senselessly splashing the cash. Also that the company you drink it in might just be the thing that makes a wine fine. That’s what makes Matt Kindred.
Ballet dancers know how to express things with grace and eloquence. Dancing since the age of three, Sinéad understands perfectly the balance, commitment and determination needed to create something wonderful. This ‘no pain no gain’ mentality is what makes her Kindred.
Of the 195 or so countries in the world, Katie has been to 35 (so far). Japan, Costa Rica and Malaysia are next on her adventure list. This thirst for things that are new and different is what makes Katie Kindred.
Agency life is short on quiet thinking time, which is why Lorna likes to spend so much of her spare time immersed in water. Swimming along – in a pool, or under blue skies – gives her a hundred ideas, big and small, to help her client’s campaigns make a bigger splash. Always taking time to think “how could this be better?” makes her Kindred.
Snowboarding doesn’t just need snow. It requires patience, balance, confidence, energy and a sense of fun. These skills, perfected on the slopes, are now applied daily to Laura's 'front of house' role. Always the first on the slopes, she's also the first person at the office, ready to welcome visitors and staff with a smile - that's what makes her Kindred.