UK Government, Expo 2020 Dubai — Case Study

World Expo has run since 1851, and Dubai’s edition — delayed a year by the pandemic — was the largest global gathering since. At its centre stood the UK Pavilion: a striking piece of architecture that pulled in over 5,000 visitors a day and became the most photographed structure on the entire Expo site.

We worked directly with the UK’s Department for International Trade to document the six-month run, covering people, technology, film, sport, music, food and fashion as it happened. The footage and photography went out across UK Government social channels and UK and international press — both to draw visitors during the event and to support future World Expo bids. We also worked closely with the Welsh Government to cover their events inside the pavilion.

Over six months, the Pavilion hosted everything from black-tie galas and art exhibitions to closed-door meetings and panel discussions — dignitaries, royals, athletes and business leaders passed through, there to showcase British innovation, art and ideas. Against 192 national pavilions and no shortage of competition for attention, the programme included classical concerts, theatre, poetry and music festivals, with speakers including HRH Prince William alongside sporting figures and rising names from the UK’s arts and music scene.

One highlight: the Commonwealth Queen’s Baton Relay, ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Ed Clancy OBE and Tessa Sanderson CBE carried the baton alongside serving members of the armed forces and the Coldstream Guards band — and we were the team trusted to document it.

For UK National Day, the Pavilion took over the entire Expo campus for a single day — 48 events across 8 venues. Our crew, editors included, covered all of it in real time.

Alongside the main Pavilion programme, we also documented partner events for the Royal College of Art, Rolls-Royce, Shell and Cardiff University.

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