Mind Reading Above the City: Forter's Impact Europe Conference at 22 Bishopsgate

There's something I love about working at corporate events in London. No two days are ever quite the same, and sometimes the journey to the venue is almost as memorable as the performance itself.

In September 2026, I was invited by Sequence Events, a New York-based event production agency, to entertain delegates and staff at Forter's Impact Europe conference, held at Convene, 22 Bishopsgate, in the heart of the City of London.

It turned out to be one of those lovely corporate bookings where everything just seemed to click.

An Invitation from Across the Atlantic

The initial enquiry came from Gus Kathol at Sequence Events, who were producing the conference for Forter. They were looking for a mentalist to entertain approximately 100–150 guests during a post-conference reception, but hadn't yet decided which performance format would work best.

There were two possibilities: a formal interactive mentalism show that would bring everyone together for a shared experience, or something more informal, with close-up mind reading performed amongst small groups during the cocktail reception. Both approaches have their merits, but they create very different experiences.

After discussing the event with Gus over Zoom, the decision was made to go with mix-and-mingle mentalism. It was a great choice for the setting. After a full day of presentations and conference sessions, the guests would have an opportunity to relax, enjoy a drink and experience something extraordinary without interrupting the natural flow of conversation.

With the booking confirmed, I began making arrangements for another trip to London.

A Cappuccino Above the City

My journey began, as it so often does, with a train into King's Cross. From there, it was onto the Underground to Liverpool Street, followed by a short walk through the rain towards 22 Bishopsgate.

If you've never visited the building, it's an imposing sight. Towering above the surrounding streets, it feels every bit the modern London corporate landmark. Security was understandably tight. Almost as soon as I stepped inside, I was approached and asked how I could be helped. Fortunately, Cara from Sequence Events had already emailed me my security pass, so getting through was straightforward.

With some time to spare, I asked where I might find a coffee. A few minutes later, I was sitting with a cappuccino, looking down at the bustling London streets far below. I felt like a giant spider clinging to the side of a building, watching the tiny figures moving around beneath me. It was rather wonderful.

I spent the next forty minutes enjoying the view, checking through my performance case and making sure everything was ready. Those quieter moments before an event are something I really appreciate. After navigating trains, Underground stations and busy London streets, it's good to have a little time to unwind and mentally prepare.

Then came the glamorous part of being a professional entertainer: getting changed in a toilet cubicle. Contrary to what you might imagine, dedicated changing rooms are something of a luxury at corporate events. More often than not, you find a reasonably spacious cubicle and make the best of it. A few minutes later, I emerged looking considerably sharper than when I'd gone in. Time to go to work.

A Warm Welcome at Convene 22 Bishopsgate

I made my way up to Convene, where Forter's Impact Europe conference was taking place. As the lift doors opened, I stepped out and was greeted by members of the Forter welcome team. I introduced myself and asked for Cara, and their reaction made me smile. Everyone seemed genuinely pleased to see me, and there was a definite sense of excitement that the mentalist had arrived. Perhaps word had been spreading about what was coming later that afternoon.

Cara came over to welcome me and kindly showed me through to the cloakroom, where I could leave my bags. She was warm, friendly and helpful throughout the event, which always makes a difference when you're arriving at a venue for the first time.

The final keynote presentation had finished, and delegates were beginning to filter into the reception area from the various conference spaces. Drinks were being served, conversations were starting and people were gradually shifting from conference mode into something more relaxed. It was fairly quiet at first, but that was absolutely fine.

One thing I've learned over more than twenty years of performing at corporate events is that knowing when not to perform can be just as important as knowing when to begin. Watch what happens when someone arrives at a drinks reception. They're offered a glass, take a sip and look around the room. They're finding their bearings, spotting familiar faces and deciding where to settle. That's not necessarily the moment to introduce yourself and start reading their mind.

Give them a minute. Let them find their space and allow the atmosphere to develop naturally. So that's exactly what I did. I waited a little longer, watched the room settle and then approached my first group.

From Poker Tells to Reading Minds

Three guests were standing together, casually chatting. I introduced myself, asked whether they'd enjoyed the conference and joined their conversation. Within moments, they were intrigued.

I began with a quick demonstration involving poker tells, apparently reading subtle clues in their behaviour to discover information they were trying to conceal. Corporate audiences often find this fascinating. There's something about the combination of psychology, observation and the unknown that really captures people's imagination.

We like to think we're rational, that we understand how people behave and that we can recognise when someone is bluffing or hiding something. And then somebody comes along and demonstrates something that makes us question all of it.

I followed the initial demonstration with another piece that took the apparent ability to read poker tells into much more impossible territory. By this point, the group was completely engaged. Then I finished with a direct piece of mind reading, revealing a word that existed only in someone's thoughts. Their reactions were wonderful.

What began as something that might conceivably have been explained through psychology had developed into something seemingly impossible. And there was a rather fitting thought behind it all: perhaps our thoughts aren't always quite as secure as we imagine. An interesting idea to explore at an event for a company working in the world of digital fraud prevention!

Watching the Room Come Alive

From there, I continued moving around the reception, spending a few minutes with each group before moving on. For me, this is what good networking event entertainment is all about. My job isn't simply to demonstrate something impossible. It's to connect with people, make them happy, surprise them, inspire them and leave them with something to think about.

As the afternoon progressed, I could feel the atmosphere changing. The room was warming up and the energy was rising. Reactions ranged from stunned silence and wide-open mouths to laughter, shrieks and the occasional scream of disbelief.

I was also becoming increasingly aware of members of the Forter team wanting to experience some mind reading for themselves. I imagine it must have felt like a welcome release. They'd spent the day working hard, looking after delegates and ensuring the conference ran smoothly. Now they could finally enjoy a few moments of the entertainment themselves.

Those are some of my favourite interactions. When people who've been concentrating on their responsibilities all day suddenly get the opportunity to switch off and enjoy being amazed.

It's one of the reasons I particularly enjoy performing at conferences. The right entertainment, introduced at the right moment, can make a real difference to the atmosphere.

Making the Event Better

Eventually, my time at Forter's Impact Europe conference came to an end. Before leaving, I made sure to thank Cara and Bailey from Sequence Events, who had been busy coordinating everything throughout the afternoon. It had been a pleasure working with them.

I collected my belongings, changed out of my suit and made my way back towards the lifts. As I was leaving the building, I found myself walking alongside some of the delegates and staff who were also heading home. One of them recognised me from the reception and struck up a conversation.

He asked whether I knew two other mentalists, Lior Suchard and Lior Manor. As it happens, I'm friendly with both of them, so we had a lovely little conversation about the world of mentalism.

Then he said something that really stayed with me.

“You made the event better... and more fun.”

I can't think of many nicer things someone could say, because ultimately, that's what I'm there to do. Yes, I want people to experience something extraordinary. I want them to question what they've just witnessed and wonder how on earth it could have happened. But more than anything, I want them to enjoy themselves.

If the entertainment has made their day a little better, helped them relax or given them a memory they'll take home, then I've done my job.

The Journey Home

Back outside, I made my way through London towards Liverpool Street and eventually back to King's Cross. And then came a little ritual I've developed over the years.

Whenever I'm returning home from a corporate event in London, I head straight to Starbucks and order a strawberry açaí over ice. I never buy this drink anywhere else, and I never order it at any other time. Only at King's Cross, when I'm heading home after a gig. I've absolutely no idea how this tradition started, but it's become part of the experience.

I also picked up a couple of pasties and tucked them into my bag. Another little tradition. We always enjoy a late-night pasty when I get home.

With everything sorted, I boarded my train, found my seat and settled in for the journey back to Nottinghamshire. The train was on time, which is always a bonus. Headphones on, music playing, I spent much of the journey reflecting on the afternoon.

The journey through London. The view from 22 Bishopsgate. The warm welcome from the Forter team. The wonderful reactions from delegates and staff. And that lovely comment as I was leaving.

You made the event better... and more fun.

Not a bad way to spend a Tuesday.

And there were pasties waiting at the end of it.