Release date: 6 September 2012
The Design Council has appointed John Mathers as its Chief Executive. John joins the Design Council from his role as Chief Executive of the Holmes & Marchant Group, one of the world’s iconic design brands.
John has over 30 years’ experience in the design industry. He has held various roles, including Head of Brand at Safeway, and led a number of marketing, brand and design consultancies in the UK since the mid-1990s.
John has always had a commitment to the development of the design industry, was president of the Design Business Association for an unprecedented three years, and currently acts as the Association’s spokesperson for its 20:20 Mentoring Scheme.
Martin Temple CBE, Chairman of the Design Council, said:
“We’re delighted that John Mathers is joining us. The Design Council and Cabe have both been making major contributions to the world of design, architecture and the built environment for many years. With the ever more challenging impact of globalisation, the need to re-balance our economy and greater expectations from our built environment, our role becomes ever more relevant to the UK. John’s impressive experience will add real value to our work in stimulating innovation, improving our built environment and tackling complex social challenges.”
Commenting on his appointment, John Mathers said:
“I’m very pleased, and excited, to be joining the Design Council. It’s an organisation I have worked with, and supported, for a long time and it has a key role to play in the UK over the coming years. I look forward to helping build its importance as an independent champion of the power of design.”
The Design Council is also announcing the appointment of two key roles in its Cabe team – to strengthen its programmes for the built environment and lead the process of design review. David Waterhouse has been appointed as the new Head of Programme Development and Alan Thompson is Cabe’s new Head of Design Review.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
1. For further information or images please contact:
Tim Crowley, Head of Communications 07748 906897 / tim.crowley@designcouncil.org.uk
2. John Mathers – Career summary
A career marketing and brand professional with over 30 years’ experience, John Mathers has 10 years of classic UK FMCG experience with Cadbury’s, Lyons Tetley and Safeway. John has led and built organisations, having managed a number of leading edge marketing, brand and design consultancies – Enterprise IG (now The Brand Union), Blue Marlin, Fitch and, most recently, Holmes & Marchant and Lloyd Northover.
John is committed to the development of the design industry through long-term involvement with key industry bodies, and is regularly referenced as an expert on the design industry. He has been involved in the Design Council’s work for over seven years: in 2007/ 08 he was on the advisory group established following the Cox Report to consider the development of a UK Design Academy, and in 2009 was appointed to the advisory board of DOTT (Design of the Times) Cornwall. John has been an independent brand advisor to St Martins in the Fields for the last 10 years.
John has a law degree and MBA from Edinburgh University.
3. The Design Council is a charity which enables people to use design to transform communities, business and the environment for the better. Its work places design at the heart of creating value by stimulating innovation in business and public services, improving the built environment and tackling complex social issues. The Design Council inspires new design thinking, encourages public debate and informs government policy to improve everyday life and help meet tomorrow’s challenges today.