Creative UK appoints new Network Chair and Deputy Chair
Lucy Kennedy, CEO, Saturday Club Trust has been appointed as the next Chair of Creative UK’s Creative Skills & Futures Network. Sian Brittain, Head of Innovation, Guildhall School of Music & Drama has been appointed Deputy Chair.
Left: Sian Brittain. Right: Lucy Kennedy.
The appointments were made following a competitive recruitment process, after the previous Chair, Dr Paul Thompson, stepped down as Vice Chancellor of the Royal College of Art, earlier this year.
Lucy said, “This important forum for Creative UK members is well-placed to amplify industry’s voice in advocating for the vital connection between creative education, skills, and the economic health of the sector. Sian and I look forward to engaging with members across disciplines, industries and all four nations, ensuring we fully leverage the rich tapestry of skills and knowledge within our community. Together, we will inform and support Creative UK’s priorities and advocate for enhancing opportunities and pathways into creative careers, building a space of mutual support to secure the future of our creative workforce.”
Caroline Norbury, CEO of Creative UK, added “Lucy and Sian have demonstrated an excellent ability to drive collaboration across industry and education to improve access and articulate the fundamental benefits of creativity and culture to new audiences and I look forward to seeing how the network develops under their leadership.”
The Creative Skills & Futures Network facilitates discussion, shares insights and drives collaboration around creative education, skills and careers and acts as a forum for briefing and consultation with UK Government. For more information on the network please contact chris.slesser@wearecreative.uk.
Are you interested in joining our membership? Find out more.
Learn more about our new Chair and Deputy Chair below:
Chair: Lucy Kennedy has expanded the work of the National Saturday Club’s extracurricular education programme across all-four nations, supporting professionals and businesses to engage directly with educational institutions and young people from underrepresented backgrounds to showcase career pathways and facilitate meaningful connections between education and the sector. Lucy sits on Creative UK’s UK Council alongside the Board of NSEAD and is Chair of Chisenhale Art Place
Deputy Chair: Sian Brittain facilitates knowledge exchange and new thinking with partners beyond the conservatoire to apply Guildhall School of Music and Dramas’ expertise into a real world context. Sian was instrumental in launching two flagship business units that drive collaboration between Higher Education and Industry; Guildhall Ignite – a coaching consultancy working with partners in and beyond the arts, and Guildhall Production Studio, which specialises in R&D and collaboration in digital and immersive technologies. Recent initiatives that Sian has co-led or supported include; The Knot in partnership with New Diorama Theatre (supporting emerging Theatre Practitioners), The ABTT Virtual Ideas Platform (supporting innovation within backstage industries), and an ongoing R&D initiative with Tonic Theatre to investigate barriers to progression for performing arts freelancers. Sian is a Board member of Culture Mile Business Improvement District, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (FRSA). Sian is also a qualified executive coach (EMCC) and supports a range of pro-bono clients in roles across the arts and public sector.