Melanie Howard

Starting her career in direct marketing in the 1980s, Melanie switched careers and became a leading social trends forecaster and futurist who has always had a special interest in the changing nature of direct interaction between brands and consumers. She co-founded in 1996, and is now chair of the Future Foundation, the leading independent global trends company with 200 blue-chip subscribers to their on-line trends service nVision and offices in London, New York and Stockholm.

Passionate about the value of futures thinking to better leadership and innovation Melanie has led scenario projects for a wide range of organisations in government and the private sector including Defra on the future of the countryside and the IPA on the future of marketing and agencies. She has been a Visiting Professor at Henley Business School and lectures for Said Business School at Oxford University as well as being a Business Research Fellow at the Royal College of Art in the Innovation team. She is also a Trustee for Women in Sport and a special futures advisor to the CCA. She is a lay member on the Information Rights Tribunal.

As a Trustee for several years and co-chair of the IDM (Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing) over the past year, she has led the successful merger negotiations with the DMA on their behalf. As well as joining the DMA Board, Melanie will also be serving as a Trustee on the newly merged charity, the DM Trust.