Key players from the creative and cultural industries put skills at centre stage

Top leaders from the creative and cultural industries have pledged a major commitment to addressing skills issues.

An unrivalled group of industry professionals joined the Board of Creative & Cultural skills as the organisation launched its bid to become the Sector Skills Council for the Creative and Cultural industries.

Addressing Ministers and leading industry representatives at the launch of the bid this evening (09/12/04) at the Royal Opera House, Tony Hall, the organisation’s chair said:

I have been bowled over by the incredible response I’ve received from this fantastic group of industry professionals. Each of them is totally committed to tackling the skills issues our sector faces. They are setting an important example to everyone in the industry by pledging their support.

Sector Skills Councils (SSCs) agree sector priorities and targets with employers and partners to reduce skills gaps and shortages; improve productivity, business and public service performance; increase opportunities to boost the skills and productivity of everyone in the sector’s workforce; and improve learning supply. The SSC for the Creative and Cultural industries will incorporate Advertising; Crafts; Cultural Heritage; Design; Music; Performing, Literary and Visual Arts and possibly Publishing.

The Board members of Creative & Cultural Skills currently include:

Tony Hall (chair), chief executive, Royal Opera House
Catie Callendar, managing director, Clear Channel Entertainment (Theatre)

Roy Clare, director, the National Maritime Museum
Jayne Glaister, director of Arts, Heritage and Leisure at City, Bradford MDC Judith Isherwood, chief executive, the Wales Millennium Centre David Kershaw, partner, M&C Saatchi Eric Nicoli, chair, EMI Group Plc Christine Payne, head of Theatre & Variety, Equity Fiona Reynolds, director general, National Trust Daniel Taylor, managing director, Metro Design Consultants Alison Wenham, chair and chief executive, the Association of Independent Music Ltd David Worthington, managing director, the Conran Design Group.

The future of this country is not call-centres - but its creativity, said Tony Hall. All of us are on a crusade to make a difference to people’s skills.

Other board members will be announced shortly for the Crafts sector, Scotland and Northern Ireland.