RSA management shake up

The Royal Society of Arts design director Helen Auty is taking on a new role to raise the society’s profile, as one of two top level management promotions.

Auty, who has been at the RSA for 26 years, and was the society’s first female design head becomes its director of external relations on 1 October.

Meanwhile, Auty’s deputy Susan Hewer becomes RSA head of design on 1 September. Formerly head of the RSA Student Design Awards, Hewer plans to champion the cause of students and the Student Design Awards.

She wants to raise the profile of the Design Awards which already have more than 450 000 in sponsorship from business each year and attract 3000 entries a year. Hewer says she has a series of plans including publishing guidelines for student placements for both students and employers.