Six distinguished leaders from fashion, publishing, media and business join the UK-India Creative Circle to help shape one of the UK’s leading celebrations of creativity, culture and collaboration.
Introducing the Co-Chairs of the UKICC Diwali Party 2026
The UK-India Creative Circle (UKICC) is delighted to introduce the distinguished Co-Chairs of the UKICC Diwali Party 2026, an evening celebrating creativity, culture, collaboration and the enduring partnership between the United Kingdom and India.
More than a cultural celebration, the UKICC Diwali Party brings together leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs and changemakers who share a commitment to strengthening connections between the two nations through creativity, commerce and collaboration.
This year’s Co-Chairs represent an exceptional breadth of expertise across fashion, publishing, luxury, media and business. Together, they embody the spirit of the UK-India Creative Circle by bringing influential voices together to inspire collaboration, create meaningful connections and celebrate the extraordinary creative relationship between the UK and India.
Dr. R Sri Ram, Founder & Executive Chair of the UK-India Creative Circle, said:
“It gives me immense pleasure to introduce the distinguished Co-Chairs of the UKICC Diwali Party.
Our Diwali celebration is more than an evening of cultural celebration—it is a gathering of leaders, innovators and changemakers who believe in the power of creativity, commerce and collaboration between the United Kingdom and India.
Each of our Co-Chairs is an internationally respected leader in their field. Together, they bring exceptional expertise across fashion, publishing, luxury, media and business, reflecting the very spirit of the UK-India Creative Circle: bringing together influential voices to build meaningful connections, inspire collaboration and celebrate the extraordinary creative partnership between our two nations.
I am honoured to welcome this remarkable group of individuals who have generously agreed to support the UKICC Diwali Party and help shape an unforgettable celebration of creativity, culture, and friendship.”
Caroline Rush CBE
Caroline Rush CBE is one of the UK’s leading creative industries executives. As Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council for sixteen years, she transformed London Fashion Week into one of the world’s leading fashion events and championed British designers on the global stage. Today, she leads UNation, a music and entertainment business across the Middle East, is Co-Founder of sustainable materials company SurpRice™, and serves on the Board of the Oxford Street Development Corporation and advisory committee for Akyn. Caroline brings exceptional strategic leadership, an international network, and a proven track record of delivering cultural and commercial impact to the UKICC Diwali Party.
Caroline Rush CBE
Caroline Rush CBE is one of the UK’s leading creative industries executives. As Chief Executive of the British Fashion Council for sixteen years, she transformed London Fashion Week into one of the world’s leading fashion events and championed British designers on the global stage. Today, she leads UNation, a music and entertainment business across the Middle East, is Co-Founder of sustainable materials company SurpRice™, and serves on the Board of the Oxford Street Development Corporation and advisory committee for Akyn. Caroline brings exceptional strategic leadership, an international network, and a proven track record of delivering cultural and commercial impact to the UKICC Diwali Party.
Lydia Slater
Editor-in-Chief, Harper’s Bazaar UK
Lydia Slater is Editor-in-Chief of Harper’s Bazaar UK, one of the world’s most prestigious fashion and luxury publications. Throughout her editorial career she has championed creativity, craftsmanship and emerging talent while celebrating the intersection of fashion, culture and the arts. Under her leadership, Harper’s Bazaar continues to influence global conversations around style, creativity, and contemporary culture.
Sujata Assomull
Journalist and Author
Sujata Assomull is a leading independent journalist and moderator working across India, the UK, and the Middle East. Her work focuses on fashion, business, and culture, with contributions to titles including Vogue Business, Financial Times, CNN Style, Vogue India, and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. She was the founding editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar India, and is also a columnist with MINT, one of India’s leading English-language business newspapers. She regularly moderates industry conversations and advises on cross-market dialogue between the UK and India and India and the Gulf region.
Sujata Assomull
Journalist and Author
Sujata Assomull is a leading independent journalist and moderator working across India, the UK, and the Middle East. Her work focuses on fashion, business, and culture, with contributions to titles including Vogue Business, Financial Times, CNN Style, Vogue India, and Harper’s Bazaar Arabia. She was the founding editor in chief of Harper’s Bazaar India, and is also a columnist with MINT, one of India’s leading English-language business newspapers. She regularly moderates industry conversations and advises on cross-market dialogue between the UK and India and India and the Gulf region.
Lucy Cleland
Editorial Director and Co-Founder, Country & Town House
Lucy Cleland is Editorial Director and Co-Founder of Country & Town House, one of the UK’s leading luxury lifestyle publications. A highly respected editor, she has helped shape conversations around luxury, sustainability, design, travel, and culture, positioning responsible luxury at the heart of modern publishing. Her commitment to storytelling and innovation makes her an important voice within the UK’s creative industries.
Cora Delaney
Founder, EYC LTD
Cora Delaney is the Founder of EYC LTD and an accomplished entrepreneur recognised for connecting brands, creative talent and business leaders through strategic partnerships and high-level engagement. Her work spans luxury, fashion, business development and international collaboration, making her a valued connector across the UK’s creative and commercial sectors. Her experience in building influential networks aligns closely with UKICC’s mission of fostering meaningful partnerships between the UK and India.
Cora Delaney
Founder, EYC LTD
Cora Delaney is the Founder of EYC LTD and an accomplished entrepreneur recognised for connecting brands, creative talent and business leaders through strategic partnerships and high-level engagement. Her work spans luxury, fashion, business development and international collaboration, making her a valued connector across the UK’s creative and commercial sectors. Her experience in building influential networks aligns closely with UKICC’s mission of fostering meaningful partnerships between the UK and India.
Celebrating Creativity, Culture and Collaboration
The UKICC Diwali Party continues to serve as a platform for bringing together influential figures from the creative industries, business, and cultural sectors to celebrate the shared values and opportunities connecting the United Kingdom and India.
With the support of this remarkable group of Co-Chairs, the UKICC Diwali Party 2026 will celebrate the power of creativity, collaboration and cultural exchange, highlighting the individuals and ideas that continue to strengthen the relationship between the two nations.
