Creative UK has welcomed JACK PEPPER and ISAAC HUXTABLE to its board for an initial one-year term.
The organisation says the appointments of Pepper and Huxtable, who are both under the age of 25, reflects its commitment to ensuring young people are heard and represented in the sector.
In the upcoming year, they will be a paired with a Creative UK employee and an accredited coach for support, alongside receiving guidance from the other board members.
Pepper, who assumed post last month, is a composer, broadcaster, writer and ambassador at Music for Youth. At 19, he helped launch Bauer Media’s Scala Radio, where he now presents the weekly arts show.
He is one of the UK’s youngest commissioned composers, with experience composing for Royal Opera House, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, Classic FM and Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.
Huxtable is a writer on art and photography and a curator at international art agency Artiq. Previously, he worked at the British Journal of Photography and The Photographers' Gallery. He joins the board in September.
“It is imperative that we provide a platform for young people to meaningfully contribute to boosting the creative industries and actively contribute to shaping their direction,” CAROLINE NORBURY OBE, Chief Executive at Creative UK commented.
“They have both shown they are incredibly passionate about supporting the creative industries, and have already gained an impressive amount of experience and knowledge during their careers in the sector to date.”
Pepper said he is “proud” to be appointed. "I'm especially keen to highlight the value and validity of a creative career, the importance of a strong arts provision in schools and of suitable job training to ensure young people are properly equipped for work.”
Huxtable said: “Through this position I hope to join Creative UK's push for a fairer, stronger, dynamic, and more inclusive creative industry."