Kingston University Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Spier appointed to board of Creative UK

Kingston University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Steven Spier has been appointed to the board of Creative UK – the national membership body for the cultural and creative industries. The influential organisation uses the insight and experience of members, partners and businesses to help shape government policy, advocate for meaningful social and economic change and invests directly in businesses, while offering structured support to help grow the creative industries.

The only independent network to represent all creative and cultural sub-sectors across the United Kingdom, its membership includes world-leading organisations from areas as diverse as advertising, design, digital media, performing arts, photography and television. Led by Caroline Norbury OBE and chaired by renowned designer Belinda Budge, its board comprises leading figures from across the creative sector and beyond.

Professor Spier brings a wealth of experience to the position, having played a pivotal role in establishing Kingston University as the UK’s leading university for Future Skills, informed by extensive research with business. From this month, the development of nine human-centric skills most valued by employers – such as creative problem solving, digital competency, resilience and adaptability – are now a core, taught and assessed part of every year of every undergraduate degree.

Through the University’s award-winning Future Skills campaign, he has championed the need for these skills for innovation and the vital role they play in a thriving national economy at government level. 

The only university vice-chancellor to sit on the Creative UK board, Professor Spier is also currently a member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, which funds original research across the arts and humanities. He also sits on the Creative Industries Council – the joint industry and government forum that drafted the Creative Industries Sector Vision. 

Reflecting on his new appointment, Professor Spier emphasised Creative UK’s pivotal role in shaping the future of the creative economy. “Creative UK unites voices, champions the creative industries and their growth and ensures creative talent is nurtured, recognised and celebrated. I look forward to supporting these efforts, especially in relation to how graduates across the country can be better equipped with the uniquely human skills and industry experience needed to effectively address the rapidly evolving demands of businesses.”

Belinda Budge, Chair of Creative UK, said: "We are absolutely delighted that Professor Spier is joining the Creative UK Board at this pivotal time. From his pioneering work with Future Skills at Kingston University, through to his extensive experience across Arts and Humanities Research Council and the Creative Industries Council - Professor Spier will bring an invaluable wealth of knowledge and support to our organisation as we look to enter the next phase of our growth. I very much look forward to working with him as we continue our mission to drive impactful change for the cultural and creative industries."

A widely published academic, Professor Spier is an expert in contemporary Swiss architecture and in ballet choreography as a form of spatial organisation. He has close affiliations with a number of cultural institutions. A founding director of Architecture and Design Scotland, he was named honorary fellow of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and of the German Bund Deutscher Architekten (BDA) in recognition of his services to architectural education. He was previously a long-serving board member of Scottish Ballet and also sat on the board of Glasgow-based production house Cryptic.

• Find out more about Creative UK.