Rachel Hutchison

Rachel is the Programme Lead for Capability at the Design Council, providing strategic leadership across programmes that help the UK transition to more sustainable, resilient and equitable places. She shapes Design Council’s offer for commissioners in local and national government and wider public-sector partners, supporting systems-scale transformation that prioritises environmental and social outcomes. Rachel leads the Design Academy portfolio, equipping commissioners and local partners to accelerate place-based innovation through systemic design thinking grounded in climate responsibility.

Before joining the Design Council, Rachel established and led the Challenge Lab at the University of the Arts London, a pilot innovation programme exploring socially and environmentally engaged design. She developed research residencies, hyperlocal co-design projects and challenge-led workshops addressing climate resilience and social inclusion, and co-authored UAL’s Placemaking Framework and Toolkit to guide cross-sector teams in delivering impactful, sustainable place interventions.

Rachel is also an experienced cultural placemaking strategist, having advised public, private and third-sector clients on destination narratives, cultural development plans and masterplans that emphasise long-term environmental and community value. As Business Manager and Senior Strategist at Futurecity, she oversaw a portfolio of strategic and public art programmes while expanding the company’s public-sector work.

She holds an MA in Arts Administration & Cultural Policy from Goldsmiths, and her practice centres on socially engaged design, placemaking and systems thinking for climate-positive futures.