D&AD head to push writing

Larry Barker, creative director of ad agency BMP DDB, took over as president of British Design & Art Direction last Monday.

Barker, son of comedian Ronnie, has pledged to boost the standing of writing in advertising and design during his 12-month presidency. He is also keen to build craft skills, particularly among ad creatives, to set up an international creative festival in London, and to find out why so few women make it up the creative ladder.

He succeeds product designer Richard Seymour of Seymour Powell, and will work alongside D&AD president-elect David Stuart of The Partners, who takes over next January.