Creative Scotland CEO Archer leaves after five years

Janet Archer

Creative Scotland said Janet Archer is stepping down from her role as chief executive after five years.

No reason was given for the departure.

An inquiry by a Scottish government committee concluded recently that Creative Scotland’s funding system falls “well below” the standard expected of a public body.

Archer joined Creative Scotland on July 1, 2013 and leaves as of June 30, 2018.

She will receive payment “in lieu of her contractual notice period of six months.”

Iain Munro will assume leadership of the organisation as acting chief executive and accountable officer.

Creative Scotland chair said: “On behalf of the board, I would like to thank Janet for everything she has achieved over the past five years and the important contribution she has made to Creative Scotland, to the arts, screen and creative industries and to public life in Scotland more broadly.

“We wish her every success for the future.”

Archer said: “It has been an honour to work closely with, and to serve Scotland’s artists and creative communities over the past five years in my role as chief executive of Creative Scotland, and to help many thousands of people produce and share work.

“Over the past five years, we have supported artistic excellence, and equalities, diversity and inclusion.

“We accelerated our work for young people and supported creative projects in all of Scotland’s 32 local authority areas. We have also enhanced international support across artforms, especially for screen.

“I’m pleased that in a difficult public financial context, Creative Scotland managed to work closely with the Scottish Government to secure an additional £19.8 million funding for 2018-21 for Regularly Funded Organisations to replace the unexpected steep downturn in National Lottery Funding, as well as an additional £10m annual support for screen.

“I’m especially proud of the relationships we’ve established with partners to deliver shared plans and increase impact and would like to thank everyone for their commitment to working with us.

“I know that Creative Scotland’s brilliant and dedicated staff will take the organisation forwards positively and continue to realise opportunity wherever possible.

“I would particularly like to thank the Cabinet Secretary Fiona Hyslop for her support over my tenure and her committed and steadfast determination to position culture at the heart of government policy.”