Jonathan Burton appointed as CEO of Cockpit

Immersed in the arts throughout his career, working across opera, fine art and crafts, Jonathan has a strong understanding of craft and making. His experience and engagement in the arts and culture sector is reflected in his marketing roles at Tate and at English National Opera, his eight years as Director of the London Art Fair and six years at London Craft Week, where he commissioned the “Scorched” exhibition at Fitzrovia Chapel in 2019 and originated “300 Objects” at the Quadrant Arcade in 2020.

Davina Mallinckrodt, Chair of the Board of Trustees said:

‘We are excited to have Jonathan leading Cockpit at this important stage in our 30-year history as a charity that helps build creative businesses, by providing studio space, business incubation and mentoring for professional makers.

Cockpit is a beacon of excellence in contemporary craft. Our ability to provide much needed studio space and support for emerging talent relies on the passion and dedication of our team and the support of so many funders and organisations who see the future of craft skills as critical to the eco system of the Creative Industries.

Jonathan was the unanimous choice of the Board of Trustees to be the next CEO of Cockpit. He brings a wealth of experience across culture, arts and craft and the passion for our mission of widening access to craft and raising awareness of its importance, not limited to a vibrant enterprise culture, but its wider social benefits of better mental health and to fostering the creative democracy that craft represents.’

Jonathan Burton, incoming CEO of Cockpit, said:

‘I am delighted to be joining Cockpit at this important juncture and I am very much looking forward to working with the team and community of makers in Bloomsbury and Deptford.

Cockpit is ambitious and already has achieved so much in supporting and promoting craft and makers. Collectively there is even more we can do to reach and support crafts people, and engage the next generation in making.

Throughout my career, I have always been keen to widen audiences, create access and build engagement. Cockpit gives me the opportunity to bring these experiences together and I look forward to collaborating with makers, partners and funders, and together creating wider appreciation of — and greater inclusion in — craft.’

Guy Salter OBE MVO, Founder and Chairman of London Craft Week said:

‘While very sad that London Craft Week will lose Jonathan, I’m delighted that his talent and passion for our sector will now be deployed at Cockpit.'

Cockpit was established in 1986 and has nurtured and supported craftspeople throughout their careers for over 30 years. One of the Top 100 UK social enterprises on the NatWest Pioneers Post SE100 Index, Cockpit is home to 170+ talented makers across two central London locations.

In 2023, Cockpit received the Prove It: Social Impact Award at the 2023 UK Social Enterprise Awards and completed a £3.24 million renovation at its Deptford Creekside studios, including the creation of London’s first Craft Garden and a new public art installation designed by Amber Khokhar which is set to open in May 2024 as part of London Craft Week.

Cockpit is a centre of excellence in contemporary craft and one of the top 100 UK social enterprises on the NatWest Pioneers Post SE100 Index. For over 30 years, Cockpit has nurtured and supported craftspeople at the fragile, early stages of their careers.

The UK’s only incubator for craft businesses, Cockpit is home to a community of over 170 independent creative businesses – metalsmiths, jewellers, weavers, woodturners and ceramicists – at two London sites. Thanks to funded studio space, and in-house business coaching, Cockpit makers thrive, with many going on to become international leaders in their fields.

Bridging the gap between talent and opportunity, Cockpit’s education and careers programmes open pathways into creative employment for young Londoners from all backgrounds.

Cockpit received the Prove It: Social Impact Award at the 2023 UK Social Enterprise Awards.

For further information on Cockpit or images please contact: Ashley Gerling, Head of Marketing & Digital, Cockpit, ashley@cockpitstudios.org, visit the Cockpit website cockpitstudios.org or follow @cockpitstudios on Instagram and LinkedIn.

Jonathan Burton has been immersed in the arts throughout his career, working across opera, fine art and craft.

He began his career leading the marketing teams at English National Opera and then Tate. At Tate we oversaw campaigns for Olafur Eliasson’s ‘The Weather Project’, the Bridget Riley and Barnet Newman retrospectives, and the Tate & Egg Live series of cross-artform collaborations, among others.

He has extensive senior management experience in the arts and culture sector, as Director of London Art Fair and latterly as Managing Director of London Craft Week.

During his eight years as Director of London Art Fair he launched several new initiatives including the annual Photo50 exhibition and the museum partnership strategy that included The Hepworth Wakefield, Pallant House and The Lightbox galleries.

As Managing Director of London Craft Week, he has overseen the creative development and growth of the festival, leading the organisation through the pandemic, with physical festivals every year.

He commissioned the ‘Scorched’ exhibition at Fitzrovia Chapel in 2019 and originated ‘300 Objects’ at the Quadrant Arcade in 2020. London Craft Week now involves more than 200 partners, 520 events and welcome makers from 40 countries. Visitor numbers have increased by 141% to more than 225,000 in 2023.