Meet the Team
John Thornton
Head of Aurora Insights
John is editor-in-chief and head of Aurora Insights at Akabo Media, where he leads group-wide content and intelligence. He sets strategy, commissions data-led analysis and market intelligence, and embeds evidence-based insight across Akabo’s platforms. He curates the global Road User Charging Conference series and moderates senior industry dialogues. Since 2019 John has driven multi-platform growth across tolling and transport, robotics and automation, and logistics and supply chain.
Tel: +44 (0)20 8037 1783
Email: John.Thornton@akabomedia.co.uk
Xinchen Li
research analyst
As Research Analyst at Aurora Insights, Xinchen leverages her expertise in urban economics and data analysis to transform complex datasets into actionable industry intelligence. Her work supports evidence-based decision-making for stakeholders across logistics, transport, and supply chain innovation.
Xinchen holds an MSc in Urban Economic and Development from University College London (UCL) and a BS in Economics from Hunan University. Prior to joining Aurora Insights, she conducted research in urban economic systems, honing her skills in quantitative analysis and policy-relevant insights.
Tel: (+44) 20 4570 5942
Email: Xinchen.Li@akabomedia.co.uk
Vindhya Kalipi
Research Assistant
As Research Assistant at Aurora Insights, Vindhya blends her skills in quantitative and qualitative research, writing, and analytics to generate industry insights from complex data.
Vindhya holds an MSc in Political Science from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a BA in Political Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). Prior to joining Aurora Insights, her research focused on voter behavior, democratic engagement, and public policy.
Tel: (+44) 20 8037 1776
Email: Vindhya.Kalipi@akabomedia.co.uk
Mazvita Musendo
marketing manager
At Aurora Insights, Mazvita applies her marketing expertise to develop impactful communications strategies and stakeholder engagement initiatives.
Mazvita is a Journalism graduate from Westminster University with 4+ years of marketing experience. She specialises in creative campaign development, blending brand strategy with emerging technologies like AI. She previously worked for the Financial Times, Property Week, and Decarbonisation Technology Magazine.
Tel: (+44) 20 8037 1779
Email: Mazvita.Musendo@akabomedia.co.uk
mia stanbridge
conference producer
As Conference Producer at Aurora Insights, Mia leverages her research expertise and editorial background to develop insightful and engaging conference programmes. Her work bridges policy, industry, and academia to facilitate meaningful discussions on key sector challenges.
Mia obtained her BA in English Literature from Newcastle University, where she specialised in contemporary political literature. Before joining Aurora Insights, she worked as an Editorial Researcher at the Westminster Health Forum, focusing on policy analysis in the life sciences and decarbonisation within the sector.
Tel: +44 (0)20 4570 4063
Email: Mia.Stanbridge@akabomedia.co.uk
Stephen Brooks
Managing Director
