Mill Co. is an independent creative ecosystem founded in London in 2009. We provide affordable studios for small creative and wellbeing businesses, working with councils, property owners and local communities to bring underused buildings into use.
Buildings. Each building’s history, architecture and surroundings shape how it develops. Residents have space for their own practice, while shared areas and everyday encounters allow relationships and community to grow over time.
Events & social value. Workshops, classes, performances and markets connect residents with neighbours. At Rose Lipman, the café and community spaces welcome local people into everyday building life. Affordable studios help businesses remain local, while our give-back scheme enables residents to share their time and skills with the wider community.
Places as ecosystems. People, buildings, neighbourhoods and nature continually shape one another. We care for these relationships, keeping workspace accessible and allowing each place to develop its own character. Our approach continues to evolve through attention to what people need: belonging, privacy, connection and a relationship with their surroundings.
CO.LLECTIVE
A collective of creatives from all corners of the sector spanning disciplines such as design, film, photography, fashion, fine art and design
CO.OPERATE
We create unique environments in which our community can work together and help each other flourish
CO.MMUNITY
A unique community of independent professionals and small businesses coming together for the greater good
CO.LLABORATE
Working together in bespoke organic or curated teams by connection or through the sharing of space, ideas and time
CO.MMERCIAL
Collaboration with partners such as borough councils, housing associations and landlords to repurpose disused buildings and place make
Partnerships. We work with borough councils, housing associations and private landlords to bring underused buildings into use as affordable creative workspace.
Our partners and collaborators have included the GLA, Hackney and Haringey councils, Notting Hill Genesis, Islington & Shoreditch Housing Association, Sanctuary Housing and Berkely Homes.
We welcome conversations with councils and property owners about buildings that could become part of Mill Co. Please get in touch if you have a space you’d like to discuss.
The Team. Mill Co. was founded by Claire Martin and is run by a small team with experience across the creative industries, building management, programming and finance. Our cooperative values inform how we work together and our relationships with residents and partners.
Meet the team below.
Claire Martin founded Mill Co. in 2009 with a simple idea that creative people flourish in communities, not just shared spaces. Over 17 years, she has developed East London’s most established independent creative ecosystem, spanning several sites, all chosen for their individuality and often their connection to nature.
This mindset goes beyond the studios — Claire is completing an MA in Anthrozoology at the University of Exeter, studying the relationship between human and horse behaviour, with her own herd offering a unique perspective to observe it. Claire also provides nature-based life coaching from the land she stewards in North Essex.
Eva is an AAT qualified accountant and happy busy mum of teen and tween, living and working in the UK since 2007.
She has extensive experience of providing accounting services, financial reporting and specialist software implementing to companies and charities from arts and performance field, hospitality sector, civil engineering and property management.
“I love All fiction and pop science and am an audiobook addict, keen runner, cyclist and supervising trainspotter on the weekends”
Paul works as a Facility, Health & Safety, and Site Manager, ensuring that spaces are safe, organised, and operate smoothly. Previously, he was a professional dancer, and that background still shapes how he works – with discipline, awareness, and attention to detail. Paul is happiest when he’s training at the gym, finding rhythm in routine, and making small improvements consistently. He tends to appear serious, but beneath that, he has a dry, dark sense of humour and a love of a good laugh.
“I care deeply about doing things properly, creating calm in busy environments, and enjoying the process along the way.”
Laura is a performer, choreographer, multidisciplinary artist, globe trotter and plant lover. Her practice combines contemporary dance, yoga and is motivated by themes of womanhood and eco-feminism. In addition to teaching and performing in London and abroad, she created a female-led project in 2021 — “WomanEwer” — that supports survivors of sexual abuse through community workshops, performances and group discussions. She spread her wings at the Rose Lipman by creating events that get people together to move, connect and find a sense of community. Her role at Mill Co. spans programming, social media and marketing as well as teaching regular dance classes and workshops at the Rose Lipman.
Gerard is a former fashion industry professional and newly qualified psychodynamic therapist. At Mill Co. he manages event bookings and letting enquiries.
For 19 years, Gerard worked with designer Peter Jensen, developing a successful fashion brand. In that time, he worked on a wide range of creative projects and has a deep interest in all areas of art and design. He loves collaborating on events and working with people from different communities.
After working on the sale of Peter Jensen, he took time out to travel the world before retraining in psychodynamic therapy at Goldsmiths.
Outside of work, Gerard loves travelling, visiting exhibitions and cooking.
A simple principle underpins all of Janice’s output – everything starts with insight. She empowers brands by understanding consumers and translating their needs into real-world applications.
She has worked with leading brands to develop retail experiences and environments for more than 11 years. Her focus areas include consumer insight, brand purpose, and experience strategy.
Janice’s approach is collaborative; she works closely with clients and brings new perspectives to meet their challenges.
Saskia Blum is a small business owner, dog mum and manager of all things. With a long history in hospitality, she is a people person first and foremost. Having studied fine art in her hometown of Brisbane, Australia, she has a deep appreciation for the creative industries – but not much else to show for it, because like many young Australians, she moved to London and made really good coffee instead.
Saskia owns and runs the cafe that operates out of the Rose Lipman Building, Batch Baby, with her partner Tom who you’re more likely to catch on the floor.
“In my free time I love reading, playing video games, eating good food and drinking good wine. I’m a proud nerd on the sly, with a deep seated love of sci-fi and fantasy in all of its mediums.”