John Sorrell

Sir John Sorrell CBE is a UK business ambassador, appointed by successive prime ministers to promote Britain’s Creative Industries abroad. He is co-chair of the Sorrell Foundation with Frances Sorrell (neé Newell). Since 1999 they have worked with tens of thousands of young people to inspire their creativity. John is chairman of University of the Arts London, Europe’s specialist art and design university, with nearly 19,000 students from over 100 countries. He is also chairman of the London Design Festival, which he founded in 2003 and is founder and chairman of the Creative Industries Federation. Previously John was co-founder and chair of Newell and Sorrell, one of Europe’s most successful design and identity businesses. He has had roles with a wide range of public and private sector organisations, including chairman of the UK Design Council, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment and the Design Business Association. John was awarded a knighthood in the 2008 New Year Honours List for services to the Creative Industries. He was appointed CBE in 1996 and was awarded the Royal Society of Arts Bicentenary Medal in 1998. He holds a number of Honorary Doctorates and Fellowships and his books, Creative Island (2002) and Creative Island II (2009), feature inspired design from Great Britain.

Books by John Sorrell