Society of Designer Craftsmen appoints new President

Professor Crossick is Distinguished Professor of Humanities at the School of Advanced Study, University of London, and a widely respected figure in the arts, craft, and cultural sectors. He previously served as Warden of Goldsmiths College and Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, and was Chair of the Crafts Council from 2013 to 2021. As Director of the AHRC Cultural Value Project, he co-authored Understanding the Value of Arts and Culture (2016), one of the most significant contributions to cultural policy thinking in recent years and which has attracted considerable international attention. As an urban social historian, his scholarly work has long engaged with the history of skilled making, artisanship and craft.

Professor Crossick succeeds Sir Christopher Frayling, who has served as President of the SDC since 1998. Sir Christopher's remarkable tenure of over 27 years has been a cornerstone of the Society's identity and ambitions, and the SDC Council records its deep gratitude for his decades of leadership and dedication.

“I’m delighted and honoured to have been elected President of the Society, which has been so significant for craft in this country since the days of Walter Crane and William Morris. The practice and meanings of craft are always debated and always evolving, and the Society has an important role to play in that evolution. I’m excited to be part of that work.”

Geoffrey Crossick, President

"We are thrilled to welcome Geoff as President of the Society. He brings with him a breadth of understanding of the craft sector that will be enormously valuable, and he is exceptionally well positioned to help guide the Society through its next chapter”.

Nikkan Woodhouse, Interim Chair