Creative UK announces five new board members

Creative UK, the independent organisation representing the full breadth of the UK’s world-leading creative and cultural sectors has announced five new appointments to its board of directors. 

The new board members are: 

• Tanya Josephs, Managing Director, Corporate Affairs + Advisory – H + K Strategies 

• Tari Lang, Communications and Strategic Leader; Chair of Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh  
• Mervyn Lyn, Partner, Strategic Partnership Solutions Ltd 
• Gideon Spanier, Editor in Chief, Campaign 
• Vanessa Spence, Design & Visual Director, ASOS 

Each new board member will serve a term of three years and will operate in an advisory capacity to discuss, decide and approve, from October 2022.  

On discussing the new appointments, CEO of Creative UK, Caroline Norbury OBE said: “We are delighted to welcome our new advisory board members; Tanya, Tari, Mervyn, Gideon and Vanessa. They have each excelled in their respective fields and all bring a wealth of experience, expertise and passion to our organisation. In this period of change, we need fresh eyes and new thinking and there couldn’t be a better group of colleagues to help us make this vision a reality for creatives across the UK.” 

Creative UK is the national network for the Creative Industries that champions, connects, supports and invests in the innovators, entrepreneurs and businesses that drive our creative nation. From arts and culture, film, TV and video games to design, publishing and architecture and everything in between, Creative UK empowers the Creative Industries to achieve and succeed. A catalyst for social and economic change, the organisation harnesses the transformational abilities of the Creative Industries to build a stronger, fairer, and more prosperous future. 

New Creative UK Board member biographies: 

Tanya Josephs heads the Corporate Affairs + Advisory practice at Hill+Knowlton Strategies which brings together corporate and public affairs, issues and crisis management, internal communications and behaviour change and diversity and inclusion teams.  She has a wealth of communications experience having worked for the private, public and NGO sectors supporting them across communications.  

Tari Lang has advised blue-chip corporations and government clients worldwide, including Microsoft, The World Bank and the UK’s Financial Services Authority in reputation risk scenario planning, change management, reputation strategies and infrastructure development. 

Mervyn Lyn has been at the coal face of contemporary music for over 35 years, helping break some of the most iconic artists in the world. Mervyn set up his company in 2012 helping brands partner with talent in music, sport and entertainment to amplify their messages. His first clients were MasterCard and he completed successful partnerships around The BRITs, UCL Final, Rugby World Cup and Priceless Surprises comprising their Priceless Gigs series. 

Gideon Spanier is an award-winning business journalist, speaker and event organiser with a focus on the Creative Industries, working at The Times, Campaign magazine and CNN. He has served as an executive committee member of the Broadcasting Press Guild and is passionate about the power of creativity. 

Vanessa Spence is the Commercial Design and Visual Director at ASOS. Vanessa was instrumental in creating the successful ASOS brand portfolio. Her expertise lies in creating and presenting innovative ideas to contribute to strategic revenue growth and organisational progress.  

For press and media enquiries please contact sinead.gosai@wearecreative.uk