Sorrell on Cabe chairman shortlist?

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is poised to appoint the next chairman of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, with former Design Council chairman John Sorrell understood to be on the shortlist.

Sorrell declined to comment on a press report which claimed that he and former Culture Secretary Chris Smith are on a shortlist that was compiled by a panel at the DCMS on 14 October. The list, which contains fewer than six names, is currently being considered by Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell, ahead of an announcement of the appointment within the next week or so.

Cabe is an executive non-departmental public body that campaigns for better design in public buildings and spaces. It influences those responsible for public developments because its opinions are considered by local planning offices at the planning permission stage.

The commission has spent the past four months without a chairman, after the previous incumbent Stuart Lipton stepped down following a report into a possible conflict of interest. Lipton is also chairman of property developer Stanhope.