Tord Boontje replaces Ron Arad at Royal College of Art

Netherlands-born Boontje (pictured) studied industrial design at the RCA, and was a tutor in design products between 2000 and 2004, before he left to set up Studio Tord Boontje.

He will continue as director of the consultancy after taking up his RCA post.

Arad is quitting the position next month after 12 years in the post. He told Design Week in February that he is leaving because ‘I find myself not having enough time to do the course in the way I want to’.

Professor Sir Christopher Frayling, outgoing RCA rector, who is also set to leave in July, says, ‘Tord brings with him the critical insights of a top-rank designer, the strong leadership experience gained by setting up a commercially successful design studio, and – of course – the reputation of all the objects, environments and buildings he has created.’

Boontje says, ‘The department has a fantastic pluralistic character, an experimental nature, a culture of innovation and a very individual approach to students’ development. I am very keen to maintain these qualities and to build further on them.’