Published: 12 Feb 2018
Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has announced the appointment of Robert Wilson as Chair of the Creative Scotland Board. Robert’s appointment follows Ben Thomson who served as Creative Scotland Interim Chair from July 2017 to February 2018. Robert takes up the role with immediate effect for four years until February 2022.
Mr Wilson is co-founder of Jupiter Artland Foundation, the award-winning sculpture park near Edinburgh. He has served as Chair of Edinburgh Art Festival, Trustee of Little Sparta Trust, Trustee of the Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh, Trustee of the Dovecot Studios and Chair of the Arts Working Group at Inverleith House. He Chairs The Barcapel Foundation and Prostate Scotland. He is Chairman and co-owner of Nelsons, the UK’s largest natural medicine producer.
Robert Wilson said: “Creativity has the power to touch all aspects of a nation, and the Scottish people have long embraced culture with a passion. To be appointed Chair of Creative Scotland is an enormous honour and one I am extremely proud to accept. I look forward to working with my fellow colleagues from across all aspects of the sector to celebrate and champion the vibrant cultural scene that belongs to Scotland”
Janet Archer, Creative Scotland Chief Executive said: “I very much welcome the appointment of Robert Wilson as Chair of Creative Scotland and am looking forward to working with him over the next period. Robert has a long history of supporting the arts and creative sectors and a deep knowledge of the visual arts.
“I would also like to thank Ben Thomson for his generosity in taking on our Interim Chair role while the search for a permanent Chair has taken place.”
Fiona Hyslop, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs said: “I am delighted to appoint Robert Wilson as the new Chair of Creative Scotland. I wish to take this opportunity to record my thanks to Ben Thomson for serving as Chair on an interim basis.
“Robert brings a wide range of leadership experience in the commercial, philanthropic and charitable sectors, with particular experience of the arts, including festivals and the visual arts.
“I welcome the leadership that he will bring to Creative Scotland in taking forward their future strategy and supporting Scotland’s vibrant creative sectors.”
Robert’s first engagement as Chair will be at the Creative Scotland Board meeting on 15 February in Edinburgh.
ENDS
Creative Scotland is the public body that supports the arts, screen and creative industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. It enables people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland by helping others to develop great ideas and bring them to life.
Contact: Sophie Bambrough, Media Relations and PR Officer, Creative Scotland
M: 07747 606 146 | E: sophie.bambrough@creativescotland.com
