John Kampfner steps down as CEO of Creative Industries Federation

Alan Bishop, former CEO at the Southbank Centre, has replaced Kampfner as head of the independent organisation, with a view to look for another chief in the long-term.

Alan Bishop, new CEO, Creative Industries Federation. © Tricia de Courcy Ling.

Alan Bishop has taken over as temporary CEO of the Creative Industries Federation, as long-standing founder and CEO John Kampfner steps down.

The Federation was conceptualised by designer and creative education advocate John Sorrell, then founded and launched by Kampfner in 2014. It was set up as a UK-based, membership organisation to advocate for and support the creative industries, lobby Government, and influence strategy.

It now has more than 1,000 member organisations, including companies, design studios, art and cultural institutions and creative individuals.

Kampfner steps down after four years

John Kampfner, former CEO, Creative Industries Federation. © Charlie Hopkinson.

After four years as chief of the organisation, Kampfner steps down from the role and will assist Bishop as he takes the role on over a four-month transition period.

Bishop has been brought in to “pave the way for a new phase of strategic development”, according to the Federation, with four main goals under his tenure. He comes in on a temporary basis, with the final goal to find “the right CEO long-term”, says the organisation.

His aims will include developing the Federation’s advocacy programmes, which promote the creative industries to Government and influence policy, ensuring the organisation reflects the needs of its members, and developing an organisation that places an emphasis on creative careers and that helps to inform the creative industries’ place in Brexit.

Prior CEO at Southbank Centre

Bishop has previously held several CEO roles, most recently at London’s Southbank Centre, where he served for eight years, before stepping down in 2017, with the now-redundant decision at the time to retire.

Prior to this, he was CEO at the Central Office of Information, as well as chairman at global advertising agency Saatchi & Saatchi.

Transition period of four months

Kampfner says: “I am proud that this amazing sector now has a representative body that has given it a political heft and cohesion never achieved before.

“Alan has just the right skills to lead the Federation into the next phase, and I am delighted to support it over the next few months, representing it externally to our many members and stakeholders, and wish Alan, the team and the board all the best.”

Rick Haythornthwaite, chairman at the Federation, says: “Creativity will be more crucial than ever to a post-Brexit Britain. The nation’s creative leaders must own the challenge of turning imagination into reality.

“This requires an independent organisation to help channel… sector contributions into focused and coherent initiatives, which is why the Federation exists,” he continues.

“We wish John well and thank him for his enormous contribution. Alan Bishop is the ideal successor as we transition to our next phase.”

Bishop starts his new role immediately. The Federation says Kampfner has decided to step down to work on a “new venture”, but has not confirmed what this is at this time.

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