International award-winning cartoonist and illustrator, Mike Payne, is one of the UK's leading and most respected experts in the world of commercial humour, greeting card design, books and gift concept development. Images and creations from the many characters he has created have an immediate and instinctive appeal, and it is estimated that his greetings cards alone have sold in excess of ten hundred million worldwide.

Mike's 'Tatty Teddy' character for the 'Me to You' concept (the charcoal bear with the blue nose), together with other unique creations, have won numerous awards in the USA, Europe, Scandinavia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and, of course, the UK. He has won the equivalent of an Oscar, called a 'Henry' for his artwork and been nominated seven times for like awards.

A lecturer at universities, schools and colleges, with regular TV appearances, Mike is a sought after and original public speaker. His recent spot as cartoonist on Sky News was the perfect environment to entertain and promote the art of cartooning, for which he is globally renowned.

Over the last three years Mike has created and developed the concept of Charlie’s Ark which he has found to be an “absolute joy”, especially so as the latest edition to his family is his little step-grandson “Charlie”.

Adam Pescott was first artistically inspired in 1977, at just 5 years’ old after watching the first Star Wars film. He spent most of his free time recreating and drawing as many characters and scenes from the film as time would allow, detail by intricate detail.

With no formal training and with talent alone, Adam went on to work with some of the leading names in the greeting card industry with a mix of freelance and in-house employment. For the past eleven years his style and versatility gave him the opportunity to work on a number of well-known ranges, including Fizzy Moon, Humphrey’s Corner and Me to You. Alongside ‘ghosting’ other ranges Adam developed his own cute and humorous concepts, one of which was a character called ‘Pendleton Bear’ which was produced by Hallmark Cards and where he worked for three years.

Working closely with Licensing by Design, Adam is the acclaimed creator of both RSPCA Perfect Pets and Lickle Ted. These industry favourites have proved to be very successful as licensed properties and continue to perform well across a wide range of merchandise.

More recently he has been working with Mike Payne on various projects, the most significant and exciting of which is Mike’s latest concept, Charlie’s Ark. Adam has spent the last year developing this concept with Mike and has often taken inspiration from his own children to help mould and shape Charlie.

Patrick Adam’s interest in music and singing began in his early teens, performing and harmonising with his cousin ‘Big Bruce’ at various local school and church halls.

Years later, when studying for a BA Design Degree at Art College, he began regular weekend performances with a 12 piece band in Manchester, singing the ‘top twenty hits’ of the week. He shared a ‘London Palladium’ style revolving stage with Jimmy Savile and his disco show – and top acts such as Billy Fury and PJ Proby.

Jimmy Savile who was Patrick’s friend and mentor, contacted talent scouts from London and he soon signed with RCA Records as a solo recording artist.

Patrick moved to swinging King’s Road, Chelsea and began writing and recording his own material for several single releases, TV and Radio adverts and Radio 2 ‘Night Ride’ show.

After several years writing, recording and performing Patrick began working as a freelance audio visual consultant on various design projects. This led to him becoming Design and Interpretation Manager for English Heritage. He won seven awards for their visitor attractions.

Music and songwriting was always paramount in Patrick’s life, and it was whilst writing songs for young children and their daily activities that he met Mike Payne and found a kindred spirit. Having listened to Patrick’s songs, in his typically enthusiastic and spontaneous way, Mike asked him if he could write a song for “Charlie’s Ark” in the next two days.

The day after meeting Mike, and a semi-sleepless night, Patrick had written and recorded ‘Inside Every Heart’. He took it to Mike and he loved it.