RCA Council Welcomes New Members to Governing Body

The Council is the governing body of the Royal College of Art, and is responsible for senior appointments within the College, as well as all matters concerning property and finance, administrative policy, overall strategy and any issues affecting the general welfare of the College. The Council is made up of 23 members, who meet four times a year – three termly meetings and one strategy meeting.

Dr Arlo Brady is CEO of Freuds, a group of businesses ranging from Freud Communications, the world’s largest PR agency certified as a B Corp, and Goals House; through to Academy Award winning film and TV production studios, a street art studio, a financial communications agency, and an investment business with offices in the UK and USA. Over the last 25 years, Arlo has advised some of the world’s most influential institutions and leaders at key moments of opportunity, change and crisis. Arlo currently serves as Chairman of Blue Marine Foundation, one of Europe’s leading environmental NGOs, where he has been a Trustee since its foundation; he is a Trustee of the Sustainable Food Trust and Co-Chair of the S30 - a group of the world’s leading Chief Sustainability Officers convened by HRH The Prince of Wales, now HM King Charles III.

Dr Fiona Pathiraja is managing partner at Crista Galli Ventures, a pan-European investment fund. An international healthtech expert, she has been a board member, advisor and medical director at various European healthtech startups. Fiona is an investor and philanthropist who sits on the boards of the Royal College of Physicians and Cheltenham Ladies’ College. She is also vice-chair of London Business School’s fundraising board. Dual board-certified in clinical radiology & public health, Fiona is a former NHS doctor (consultant gynaecological oncology radiologist). She has cross-sector experience of healthcare, including a stint developing health policy in the UK government.

Professor Jake Kaner is Professor of User Centred Furniture Design at Nottingham Trent University. He joined Nottingham Trent University in 2017 as Associate Dean for Research in the School of Art and Design. He was responsible for all research activities in the school and worked closely with academic staff, research posts and project partners to develop quality research outputs and attract external research funding. Following an excellent result in the Research Excellence Framework, Jake has returned to pursuing professorial interests with research into user centred furniture design.