Edition Overview

Dear Readers,

In these challenging times for the arts and creative industries, good leadership has never been more critical. The past few years have seen leaders in this field grappling with unprecedented hurdles, particularly when it comes to sustainable funding in an environment marked by uncertainty and economic downturns. It has been a trying period, where resilience and adaptability have been tested to their limits.

There is much to celebrate however, not least the sector’s commitment to creativity and community. In this context, we are delighted to present our latest edition of Canvas exploring the evolving landscape of arts and creative leadership, a testament to the indomitable strength of this sector.

We have been particularly buoyed by recent examples of creative excellence and renewal that remind us how lucky we are to be living with access to work class culture. The recent rehang of Tate Britain and the long-anticipated openings of the National Portrait Gallery, Factory International and Young V&A are shining examples of what dedication, creativity and perseverance can achieve. These milestones are a testament to the vision, dedication and hard work of leaders and teams that have continued to steer the course through adversity, and they fill us with optimism.

As we look to the future, we are filled with gratitude for the extraordinary resilience of the creative sector we are fortunate to work with. This sector’s ability to adapt, innovate, and inspire is truly remarkable.

We are excited to explore the evolving landscape of arts and culture leadership in this issue and we invite you to join us in celebrating the indomitable spirit of this sector. While the challenges remain, the arts continue to offer hope, inspiration, and a powerful reminder of the enduring value of culture in our world. In the following pages we hear from the Director of Artangel Mariam Zulfiqar, and Nick Sargent, CEO of The Art Newspaper.

We talk to Mariam about the growth of contemporary art in the public arena and how this brings interesting platforms for political, societal and cultural issues. Nick, in his first year as CEO of The Art Newspaper, tells us of his ambitions for expanding the audience, geographic reach and commercial opportunity for the publication.

We also welcome Will Timmins, Partner and Associate Consultant at Saxton Bampfylde and hear more from him in our View from the River feature.

 

Latest

Dr Helen Phillips appointed as new Chair of the General Dental Council

Radical Simplification? The Leadership of Development Funding

MAT Talks: Nicole McCartney, CEO of Creative Academies Trust

Matt Risley appointed National Theatre’s first Chief Digital Officer

Belfast Health and Social Care Trust appoints new Chief Executive

Orbit appoints three new non-executive directors to its Common Board

SRA appoints Sarah Rapson as new Chief Executive Officer

“Always expect the unexpected. That’s leadership” – A conversation with Ian Funnell, Chair of NG Bailey 

Xavier Salomon appointed to be new Director of the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum

Leadership in the Age of AI: Mary Few on the Future of Legal Talent

We’re in this together: Celebrating Employee Ownership Day 2025

Future Generation Leadership: OnBoard Programme’s Fifth Cohort Celebration

Eleanor Passmore appointed as new Scotland Director at Thrive at Five

Empowering the next generation of board leaders – EPOC partnership event 2025

Dominic Cooke appointed as new Artistic Director of the Almeida Theatre

Anthem Schools Trust appoints David Hatchett as new CEO

Plan International UK announces new Chair

Clarion Housing Group names David Lunts as Chair of Latimer Developments

The AI Advantage: Rethinking Legal Talent and Delivery

Pitzhanger Manor & Gallery Announces New Director

A spotlight on Scotland’s business leadership: Russell Smith, CEO of Glasgow Clan and Braehead Arena

Take Five: A spotlight on leadership in the Arts and Creative Industries

Remembering Kat Mason, our cherished colleague

Saxton Bampfylde appoints Jonathan Badyal as Senior Advisor to Arts, Culture and Creative Industries Practice

Genomics England welcomes new Chief Technology and Product Officer

Squire’s appoints Sam Dickson as new Managing Director

Mountbatten Isle of Wight appoints Becky McGregor as new CEO

Professor Anjali Goswami becomes Defra’s new Chief Scientist

Russell Hobby CBE announced as the new TKAT CEO from September 2025

Monisha Shah Announced as New PLS Chair

Building Together for the Future: Expanding and evolving the leadership pool

Beyond Innovation: How Multi-Academy Trusts are reimagining educational leadership

RBG Kew announces new Director of Gardens

Emanuela Tarizzo appointed Director of Frieze Masters

Tom Adeyoola appointed to lead Innovate UK

Welcoming Dame Ruth May: Strengthening leadership insight in our Health Sector

Professor Karen Stanton Announced as UAL’s permanent Vice Chancellor

MSSC Welcomes New Chief Executive, Guy Holloway

Margaret Obi appointed as House of Lords Commissioner for Standards

Cyber Security: Complacency is the biggest risk – An evening with Eddie Hawthorne & Jude McCorry

Professor Sir Ian Chapman appointed next CEO of UK Research and Innovation

Is AI displacing your value as a non-executive in the boardroom? An Interview with Eugene Sadler-Smith

George Heriot’s School Appoints new Head of Senior School

Saxton Bampfylde Announces Leadership Evolution with New CEO and Board Appointments

Building Together for the Future: Priorities for the next decade

Nurturing future leaders: Irfan Latif, Head of Royal Hospital School

New CEO appointed for the Glasgow Clan and the Braehead Arena

Partner Movements: Experiences and Reflections – The Lawyer Practice Analysis in collaboration with Saxton Bampfylde

Legal Leaders Dinner: Transformation and AI in the Legal Sector

Elizabeth Honer CB becomes the new Chief Executive of the Royal Academy of Dance

Pilvi Kalhama appointed Director of Finland’s New Museum of Architecture and Design

Glasgow Academy announces new Head of Senior School.

Welcoming Nick Ricketts: Strengthening Leadership in the Social Impact Sector

British Museum appoints new Director of Collections

Non-executive director appointments at Guy’s and St Thomas’

Orbit appoints two customer non-executive directors to its Group Board

Resilience and Renewal: Navigating Challenges and Change in the Charity Sector in 2024

Orbit announces appointment of new Group Board Chair

Trent College appoints new Head of The Elms from September 2025

Creative Education Trust appoints Nicole McCartney as new Chief Executive

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

University of Manchester appoints Vice-President and Dean of the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Jane Rowlands appointed Head of Museums and Collections for Glasgow Life

Levi Roots appointed Chair Designate of Brixton House

Three new members appointed to University of Manchester’s Board of Governors

VIVID enhances Board further with new non-executive members

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Tim Whittlestone

Building Together for the Future: A post-budget insight

New Head for the Birkdale Family of Schools

Coram appoints Professor Sir Ivor Crewe as President and Chair

Helpforce appoints Amerjit Chohan as new Chief Executive

Ardingly Announces New Chair of Governors

Anu Giri appointed as new Executive Director of English National Ballet

Chineke! Foundation Welcomes Seven New Trustees

James Brining announced as The Royal Lyceum Edinburgh’s new Artistic Director

Black History Month series: Music, Literature, Film and More!

Wellingborough School appoints New Headmaster

Building Together for the Future: Industry obstacles and how we can challenge them together

Tilly Blyth joins Weald & Downland Living Museum as new Director

“Good is not good enough, you have to want to be great” – An evening with Scottish Rugby legends Chris Paterson MBE and Stuart McInally on Leadership

British Museum appoints new Managing Director and Director of Finance

David Isaac CBE Appointed as New Chair of the Henry Moore Foundation

University of Brighton appoints new Vice-Chancellor

Professor Damien Page announced as next Vice-Chancellor at Buckinghamshire New University

Jacqueline de Rojas CBE appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees of Bletchley Park Trust

Andy Street announced as Birmingham Rep’s new Chair of the Board of Trustees

John Whitgift Foundation appoints new CEO

FCA and PRA appoint new Chair of the FSCS

University of Glasgow announces Professor Andy Schofield as new Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Nurturing future leaders: Jane Gotts, Chair of The Glasgow Academy

Alan Cumming appointed new Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Worksop College and Ranby House announces new Headmaster

Building Together for the Future: A series of insights from friends of the firm and long standing leaders across the Built Environment

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Haris Sultan

Jo Ogilvy rejoins Saxton Bampfylde as Consultant in the Schools’ Practice

Transforming Legal Services: Isabel Parker on AI, Innovation, and the Future of Law Firms

Nurturing future leaders: Interview with Emma Taylor, Warden and CEO of Dean Close Foundation

Claire Tao to lead Forest School as new Warden in September 2025

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Neil Davy, Chief Executive Officer at Family Business UK

Sandie Okoro OBE appointed as first female Chancellor of the University of Birmingham