The Design Council announced the appointment of Tony Burton as its new Director of Policy and Communications to lead the organisation's work as a centre of insight and advice to industry, education, communities and government on the role of design.
Tony joins the Design Council from his role as founder and Director of Civic Voice, the national charity for the civic movement which was established in April 2010. In this role he not only set up Civic Voice, but drove forward its highly successful strategy to become an influential national voice supported by 290 civic societies with over 75,000 members.
Tony has over 20 years' experience working with both government and communities in policy development. His previous high profile roles have included heading up Strategy and External Affairs for the National Trust, and Deputy Director of the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
"We're delighted that Tony Burton is joining us," stated David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council. "His experience in community engagement and in building and representing memberships will play a vital role in our commitment to putting good design at the heart of delivering new national policies in areas such as social transformation, economic growth and the built environment."
Tony has provided advice to ministers on a variety of issues including the built environment, in his roles as Chair of Wildlife and Countryside Link and founder trustee of The Heritage Alliance, and through his membership of a variety of boards including Richard Rogers' Urban Task Force.
"There could be no better time to join the Design Council as it enters a new era as an independent champion of the power of design to transform people's lives," commented Tony Burton. "Policy makers, politicians, businesses and communities are really starting to appreciate design's role in driving innovation, improving public services and transforming the quality of the buildings, streets and open spaces in which we all live."