…and Australia’s Jonathan Kneebone joins the Board of Trustees.

Rebecca Wright, Dean of Academic Programmes at Central Saint Martins/UAL has become D&AD President 21/22, succeeding Pentagram partner, Naresh Ramchandani. Wright is D&AD’s first president from the world of education. She will focus her efforts on continuing D&AD’s legacy of inspiring and facilitating creative learning as the organisation celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2022. Richard Brim, chief creative officer at adam&eveDDB, will become deputy president and move into the presidency automatically for 22/23.

The D&AD President is elected annually from the Board of Trustees to champion the organisation’s mission and shape the conversations for the year ahead. Rebecca’s dedication to the value and power of creative education harmonises with D&AD’s mission to nurture the next generation of creative talent through programmes such as New Blood and Shift. Both believe that education is the key to creating a stronger future for the industry. Wright will lead D&AD’s opening of the diverse routes of creative learning, including underrepresented and emerging voices, other sectors and disciplines and work towards the shared goal of creating a better future for people and planet. She will also help raise conversations around the obstacles to creative education, while giving voice to the next generation of creative thinkers. 

Wright’s varied background will help to engage new audiences with the creative sector, amplifying D&AD’s vision that an interdisciplinary approach is an answer to tackling the biggest challenges of the future. She has led departments encompassing everything from graphic design and communications, to spatial practices and cultural & enterprise.

Rebecca Wright commented: “As a bridge between industry and education, D&AD plays a catalytic role in effecting positive change. I consider the presidency not an individual task, but a chance to work in collaboration with D&AD, its trustees and incredible community to address the challenges we face and progression we need to see. I am honoured and humbled to be offered this position.” 

Richard Brim, chief creative officer at adam&eveDDB, will become deputy president and become president for 22/23. 

Tim Lindsay, chairman at D&AD, commented, “I’d like to thank Naresh Ramchandani for leading D&AD through one of its most challenging years with unwavering determination, enthusiasm and motivation. He has stood to inspire and stimulate creatives from all backgrounds, while accelerating important conversations about climate and civic responsibility. I can’t think of anyone better to pass the baton onto than Rebecca Wright. As our first President from the academic world, her dedication to nurturing and supporting emerging talent has never been more meaningful.”

D&AD also welcomes three new trustees to the D&AD Board from across the international creative community: Liza Enebeis (creative director of Studio Dumbar), Kwame Taylor-Hayford (founder of Kin) and Jonathan Kneebone (founder of The Glue Society).

Jonathan Kneebone’s new role as one of ten on the Board of Trustees is in addition to his being on the D&AD Global Advisory Board. This is a significant honour and one of the first times D&AD has had international representation on the board.

“I hope it leads to a more international feel for D&AD and more of an awareness of the creative work and individuals within Australia and the region,” he stated. “I also hope this means good things for us in terms of things like juries.”

Kate Stanners (global chief creative officer at Saatchi & Saatchi, and 2019/20 D&AD president), Ben Terrett (chief executive officer at Public Digital) and Kai-Lu Hsiung (managing director at RSA Films) are stepping down as trustees as their tenures come to a close.