Cockpit Arts, a charity and social enterprise that supports a community of contemporary designers and craft-makers, has announced Jonathan Burton has been appointed as chief executive.
Burton replaces Annie Warburton, who stepped down from the charity in December 2023 to take up the role of clerk and chief executive at the Goldsmiths’ Company.
He joins the charity from a six-year stint as managing director of the London Craft Week festival.
Guy Salter, founder and chairman of London Craft Week said: “While very sad that London Craft Week will lose Jonathan, I’m delighted that his talent and passion for our sector will now be deployed at Cockpit.”
Burton’s previous roles also included marketing positions at the Tate and the English National Opera, as well as spending eight years as director of the London Art fair.
Davina Mallinckrodt, chair of trustees at Cockpit said: “Jonathan was the unanimous choice of the Board of Trustees to be the next chief executive of Cockpit.
“He brings a wealth of experience across culture, arts and craft and the passion for our mission of widening access to craft and raising awareness of its importance, not limited to a vibrant enterprise culture, but its wider social benefits of better mental health and to fostering the creative democracy that craft represents.”
Burton said he was “delighted” to be joining the charity.
He said: “Cockpit is ambitious and already has achieved so much in supporting and promoting craft and makers. Collectively there is even more we can do to reach and support crafts people, and engage the next generation in making.
“Throughout my career, I have always been keen to widen audiences, create access and build engagement. Cockpit gives me the opportunity to bring these experiences together and “I look forward to collaborating with makers, partners and funders, and together creating wider appreciation of — and greater inclusion in — craft.”
Burton will take up the post on 29 April.