Jonathan Burton Appointed as CEO of Cockpit

12 Feb 2024

Cockpit, London’s leading centre for contemporary craft, today announces that Jonathan Burton has been appointed as CEO. He replaces Annie Warburton, who stepped down in December 2023, and will assume his role at Cockpit in late April 2024.

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 ecosystem 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, the 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.

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Source: Cockpit