the sessions
There are very few places where people can sit in a room and hear from specialists on how things are truly built.
Not the public version, not the edited version..the version that sits underneath.
The sessions are designed to create that space.
Every House Session runs the same way.
One guest. Someone who has built something, learned something hard,
or navigated something you are currently navigating yourself.
They talk about it honestly, not the polished version, the real one.
Then the room opens up. Questions, conversation, connection.
You do not sit and listen, you participate.
Sessions typically run for two hours. To be honest, they end when they end.
House Session 04
A Change of Direction: From global pop culture to garden design
What does it take to leave behind a successful career, become a beginner again and build an entirely new creative life?
For more than three decades, Mark Hardy worked at the heart of some of the world’s most recognisable brands, holding senior leadership roles at Disney, Sony PlayStation, Sony Music, Syco Entertainment, Viber and Technicolor Creative Studios.
As Marketing Director at Syco Entertainment, Mark was responsible for the global marketing of One Direction and worked on the launches of artists including Little Mix, Leona Lewis, Labrinth and Susan Boyle. His career has spanned entertainment, technology, popular culture, audience building and the creation of global brand communities.
In 2023, Mark changed direction. He returned to education to study Garden and Landscape Design at the prestigious Inchbald School of Design in London and now runs his own practice, creating characterful gardens in London, Kent and across the Southeast.
In this House Session, Mark will share the story behind that transformation and what it means to start again after reaching the top of an established career. From building global audiences to designing gardens, we will explore creativity, identity, transferable experience and the confidence required to embrace a completely new chapter.
House Session 04
30th September 2026 at 6.00pm
Lytham Institute, Lytham
Limited seats available.
Date
30 / 09 / 2026. Lytham Institute. 18.00pm
“A change of direction”
From global pop culture to garden design; House Session 04 brings together two very different creative worlds through one remarkable career.
On 30th September, we welcome “In Conversation with Mark Hardy”; a creative leader whose career has included senior roles across Disney, Sony PlayStation, Sony Music, Syco Entertainment, The X Factor, Got Talent, Viber and Technicolor Creative Studios.
Mark also led the team behind the launch of One Direction; helping shape the career of one of the biggest pop culture phenomena of a generation.
Now working in garden design, Mark joins us to talk about creativity, leadership, reinvention and what happens when you choose to take everything you have learned at the highest level and apply it somewhere completely new...and over 50!
For anyone building a career, changing one or simply wondering what could come next.
HOUSE SESSION 04
30th September 2026; 6.00pm
Lytham Institute
Limited seats
House of the Broken Line; conversations with people who have built, changed and created.
Book www.house.blnhouse.com”
House Session 03
Inside Broadcast: Media, Sport and building global audiences
What does it take to build audiences, create valuable content and stay relevant in a world where media is changing faster than ever?
For more than three decades, Charles Balchin has worked at the heart of sports broadcasting, production and media, including senior leadership roles within IMG for over 13 years; one of the world’s most influential sports, media and entertainment companies.
In this House Session, Charles shared insights from a career spent working behind some of the industry’s biggest events and productions. From traditional broadcasting to streaming, media rights, content creation and audience growth, we explored how the sports media landscape has evolved and where it is heading next.
Date
16 / 07 / 2026
“I had the chance to attend the session In Conversation with Mike Smith. Mike spoke honestly about the brutal and beautiful realities of pursuing a career in music and to be honest I found this conversation to be life affirming and extremely forthcoming. Thank you to House of the Broken Line for cultivating a community of artists and entrepreneurs right on our doorstep.”
MUSIC INDUSTRY
House Session 02 - Mike Smith
This session explored how Team GB operates in practice, from the structure of Olympic programmes to the realities of funding, preparation, and performance.
The conversation moved beyond the surface, looking at how Olympic cycles are built, the role of fundraising within that system, and how the Olympic Association balances performance with commercial relationships and long-term strategy.
We also discussed the preparations for the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, Los Angeles 2028.
The format was informal and intentionally limited to a small group.
In Attendance
Attendees ranged from a former Team GB athlete, a Padel Club Manager, an international fashion designer, a Comedian, an events manager, a therapist, a youth charity founder and more.
Date
20 / 05 / 2026
SPORT
House Session 01
The Olympic Association
This session explored how Team GB operates in practice, from the structure of Olympic programmes to the realities of funding, preparation, and performance.
The conversation moved beyond the surface, looking at how Olympic cycles are built, the role of fundraising within that system, and how the Olympic Association balances performance with commercial relationships and long-term strategy.
We also discussed the preparations for the Games of the XXXIV Olympiad, Los Angeles 2028.
The format was informal and intentionally limited to a small group.
In Attendance
Attendees ranged from a former Team GB athlete, a Padel Club Manager, an international fashion designer, a Comedian, an events manager, a therapist, a youth charity founder and more.
Date
20 / 05 / 2026
access
Places are limited.
Each session is released individually. There is no open calendar.
what happens?
A small, in-room series of conversations.
Each session brings together a limited group of people, typically no more than twelve with one guest whose perspective is grounded in practice. The format is simple. A focused conversation, followed by time to sit with it, question it, and discuss.
who are the House Sessions for?
Business operators, thinkers and the ambitious.
People who are not looking for motivation, but for clarity. Who understand that progress is often less about more input, and more about seeing things properly. The group is kept deliberately small for that reason.
what is the format?
Evening sessions, held in a private setting.
Arrival is informal. The conversation runs for approximately one hour, followed by time to continue it in the room. Some sessions are held in person with the guest present. Others are hosted via a live connection, depending on availability. The format remains consistent.
What Sets Our House Apart
01 / Network and Access
02 / Industry Guests
