Bayo Alaba
Bayo has over 25 years marketing, events, hospitality, production, and Licensing experience. And is one of the original pioneers of the Shoreditch creative economy. A trained senior marketing professional, Bayo left the structure of his previous marketing management roles and delved into the creative industry through the prism of his own leisure venue.
In 2001 Bayo opened his first business ‘The Squared Circle’ gastro pub, which rapidly became one of the area’s coolest establishment’s. 2003 Saw the opening of his next project, the legendary Juno bar and restaurant in Shoreditch. Here, he worked on music, art and film projects with dynamic promoters and artists quickly establishing Juno as one of the iconic leisure venues in the emerging Shoreditch creative scene.
Bayo has a lot of ‘firsts’. From being part of the National Lottery launch team through to being the first UK producer of the legendary ‘Do-Over’ parties, as a community ambassador to the London 2012 Olympics, the founder partner of the Shoreditch Fringe Festival and onto launching StreetFest, the UK’s first and only dedicated live arts festival, he has been there, seen it and done it.
Partnering and supporting many brands and organisations in their strategy and activation needs comes as second nature to his passion of brand and community engagement. His collaboration with Hackney Council in re-launching Hoxton Street Market is a particular highlight of this.
Bayo has owned and operated leisure establishments, launched festivals, produced, facilitated activations, researched, and licensed productions.