20/01/2015 - Industry veteran had previous stints with the STV group and National Theatre of Scotland

Richard Findlay is the new Chair of Creative Scotland, taking over from Sir Sandy Crombie. He chaired media company the STV group from 2007 until 2013, was Chief Executive of Scottish Radio Holdings and was the Founding Chair of the National Theatre of Scotland until 2013. A graduate and later governor of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, Findlay has also chaired the Royal Lyceum Theatre in Edinburgh for six years in the 1990s. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for services to the arts and creative Industries in 2013. 

Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Europe and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop said, “Richard will lead Creative Scotland from strength to strength, supporting and challenging the organisation as it delivers on its ambitious 10-year plan.”

Janet Archer, Chief Executive of Creative Scotland said, “Richard, and the rest of the Board will also help us make a strong case for continued and increased support for the arts, screen and creative industries, and the value they deliver culturally, socially, and economically to the people of Scotland.”

Findlay said, “Janet Archer and her team, supported by the Board, have put in place a coherent strategy and funding approach for the arts, screen and creative industries in Scotland, underpinned by a clear set of ambitions and priorities. I very much look forward to working with the Board, everyone at Creative Scotland and the culture sector more broadly, to deliver this ambition over the coming years.” 

Findlay’s term will run for four years from January 2015 until December 2018.