Thursday 13th March 2008 - Purcell Room & Royal Festival Hall
Speakers
The Creative Exchange with China conference boasts an impressive line up of speakers, each experts in their field and leading lights in the UK and Chinese creative industries arena. Read on for the full list of Speakers and their biographies: (n.b. more to follow)
Conference Chairman: John Howkins
John Howkins will chair he Creative Exchange with China conference. A government and private company advisor/consultant, economic commentator, he published his thoughts in his 2001 book ‘The Creative Economy’ which went onto be a best seller. Additional titles written include: ‘Understanding Television’, ‘Communications in China’, ‘New Technologies, New Policies’, ‘Four Global Scenarios for Information’, ‘CODE’.
Prof. Xiong Chengyu – Key Speaker
Professor Xiong joined Tsinghua university, China’s leading academic institution after he received his PhD from the BYU in the US in early 1990. He has been the deputy head of the communications Department as well as the associate dean of research since the Creative Industries school at the university was established in 2002.
As the director of Center for New Media Studies, Professor Xiong has promoted the studies nationwide. He is also the Director of National Research Center for Information Strategies and Board Member of the China International Culture and Exchange Center. He has a seat on the board as Vice Chairman of the Ministry of Education’s Education and Technology Senior Advisory Committee.
A hugely respected figure in his field, Professor Xiong is published and respected globally in the sphere of new media studies, media and society, and public policy for the information and culture industry. Professor Xiong is the first professor in journalism and communication studies invited to give a lecture to the politburo members.
Mr Wang Yongzhang, Director General, Ministry of Culture, China
Mr Wang
is attending the conference to give a special presentation on the development of Creative Industries in China as well as contributing to Panel sessions and networking. The Director General is also bringing to the conference from China a distinguished delegation of senior executives from Creative Businesses in support of future China-UK creative enterprises.
Sir Michael Bichard
Sir Michael Bichard has worked throughout his career in the public sector – twenty years in Local Government and nearly ten in Central Government. He was Chief Executive of Brent and Gloucestershire Local Authorities and in 1990 became Chief Executive of the Government’s Benefits Agency. In 1995 he was appointed Permanent Secretary of the Employment Department and then the Department for Education and Employment. Michael received a Knighthood in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 1999.
In May 2001 he left the Civil Service and in September 2001 was appointed Rector of The London Institute, the largest Art and Design Institute in Europe, which in May 2004 became University of the Arts London. In January 2004 he was appointed by the Home Office to chair the Soham/Bichard Inquiry and on 1 April 2005 he became Chair of the Legal Services Commission. He was appointed as Chair of the Design Council on 22 September 2007.
Sebastian Conran
Sebastian Conran, studied Industrial Design Engineering at the Central College of Art & Design. He gave the Sex Pistols their first ever booking, subsequently he worked with the Clash, designing record sleeves, promotional material, posters, t-shirts and clothing.
By 1978 Sebastian was working at Wolff Olins, a leading corporate and brand identity consultancy, where he was given creative responsibility for key accounts. In 1986 he started his own design business, “Sebastian Conran Associates”, a product and brand development consultancy, that worked with a variety of international businesses to develop healthcare & consumer goods, industrial design, and luxury goods.
Sebastian is an active member of several bodies, including: Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of Art, Fellow of Royal Society of Arts, Fellow of the Institute of Packaging and a Fellow of the Chartered Society of Designers. He is a founding Trustee of the Design Museum, a Member of the Design Circle; and the ambassador for the children’s charity, ICAN.
Additional Speakers’ CVs to follow
Make sure that you book your place at this exciting and ground breaking conference today. Click here to go directly to the booking page.
Remember, places are limited and in high demand. Book today to avoid disappointment.
