CSD launches search for new chief executive

The Chartered Society of Designers is hunting for a permanent chief executive.

Frank Peters has been the chief executive for more than a year on a short-term contract, vice-president Alan Walmsley says. His contract was originally scheduled to run for two years, but “he has achieved his targets after only 15 months”.

It was Peters’ suggestion to start the recruitment process for a permanent chief executive, Walmsley adds. “It was his idea because he had achieved what he had set out to do as a troubleshooter,” he says.

In the past 15 months, Peters has brought the society’s deficit down from £600 000 to under £200 000, Walmsley says. He has also restructured the staff, introduced a magazine called CSD, increased the number of CSD members and orchestrated a new identity for the society, which is scheduled to launch in the autumn, Walmsley comments.

The society will be interviewing potential candidates for the job, which comes with a salary worth £60 000-£70 000, in July. According to Walmsley, it hopes to make an appointment in September or October.