Whitaker appointed Chief Executive of Crafts Council 

CLAIRE WHITAKER OBE is joining the Crafts Council as Chief Executive.

She will take over the role in November from ROSY GREENLEES OBE, who has held the position for 16 years. 

Whitaker is currently CEO of the Southampton Culture Trust and Seriously Inclusive, a consultancy advising organisations on strategies for equality, diversity and inclusion. 

She serves as a trustee for the Paul Hamlyn Foundation and as Cultural Ambassador for the Mayor of London. Whitaker is also a member of the British Council’s Arts and Creative Economy Advisory Group. 

Whitaker comes from a family that ran a craft supplies business, which has led her to collaborate with professional makers throughout her career. 

At the Crafts Council, Whitaker plans to advance the organisation’s work to develop diversity and representation within craft and emphasise the importance of craft in addressing social concerns, while advocating for increased accessibility and supporting makers from all backgrounds.  

Whitaker said she is delighted to be joining the Crafts Council.

"Celebrating the breadth and diversity of the UK’s makers and amplifying their voices at a moment of profound economic hardship, enhancing career paths, initiating new partnerships, and creating opportunities for all to participate in making, will be our priorities in these very challenging times," she said.

Crafts Council Chair ANDREW MORLET called Whitaker an "outstanding appointment".

"Claire brings vision, energy and a clear understanding of the value and potential for crafts in contemporary society and will no doubt strengthen and build on the strong Crafts Council legacy."