Dinah Caine CBE appointed new Chair of Council

A creative industries expert has been appointed the new Chair of Council at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Dinah Caine CBE will bring her wealth of experience in the creative industries, education and skills when she takes up the role leading the College's governing body on 1 September 2018.

And she believes Goldsmiths can be at the forefront of the “fourth industrial revolution” thanks to the broad range of skills and creativity shown by graduates and the College’s innovative research outputs.

Dinah said: “I am delighted to have been appointed as Chair of Council at Goldsmiths, which has a proud reputation of being one of the UK’s leading creative higher education institutions.

“Working with my fellow Council members, an immediate priority is to support the Warden and university community to deliver our new strategic plan amid changing times in the sector. By working collectively, we can ensure the College rises to these challenges and continues to thrive and inspire.

“As we move into the fourth industrial revolution the country will more than ever require people who are creative, analytical, emotionally intelligent, connected and entrepreneurial. The range of learning and research at Goldsmiths means our students and staff can contribute hugely to this new world.”

The former CEO and Chair of Creative Skillset takes over from Baroness Morris of Yardley who led the College’s Governing body for six years. 

Dinah is a member of the Creative Industries Council, which brings together industry and Government to develop industrial strategy, and chairs their work on Education and Skills.

She is also a member of the Civic Universities Commission, a panel made up of leading public servants to examine how universities can combine global achieving with serving their local communities. 

Dinah served as a Commissioner on the Warwick Commission inquiry into the Future of Cultural Value and contributed particularly on the education and skills theme. The final report published in February 2015 was entitled Enriching Britain: Culture, Creativity and Growth.

Her other experience includes serving under two Mayors of London as an Advisor on the London Skills and Employment Board, on the Joint Board of the Scottish Arts Council and Scottish Screen, and as a Board member of the Northern Ireland Film & TV Commission.

She is a member of the British Academy of Film & Television Arts (BAFTA) and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Television Society for her outstanding contribution to the Television Industry in 2002.

Dinah was awarded the OBE for her services to the Media Industries in the Queen's Golden Jubilee Honours List in 2002, and was awarded the CBE for her services to the Creative Industries in the Queen's Birthday Honours List in 2013.

Her nomination as Chair of Council at Goldsmiths was formally approved on Wednesday 17 January 2018, following a full recruitment process to the important role.

Patrick Loughrey, Warden of Goldsmiths, said: "Dinah’s skills and experience map directly onto the challenges Goldsmiths faces. We’re delighted she will be helping lead the College.

"I know Dinah will be a brilliant successor to our outgoing Chair, who has led the Council so well. We thank Estelle for all her hard work and wish her well for future endeavours.”