Tuesday 01 October 2019

 

Sevra Davis will become Director of Architecture, Design and Fashion at the British Council from 25 November this year. She succeeds Sarah Mann who moved from the role in June. 

Sevra is currently Head of Learning at the Design Museum where she oversees the museum’s education programme. Before this, she was Director of Design at the Royal Society of Arts where she was responsible for the RSA’s work on articulating the potential of design in society, as well as the RSA Student Design Awards — a global curriculum and competition challenging emerging designers to apply their skills to pressing social, environmental and economic issues. 

She often speaks on the value of design and a design approach, design for social innovation, and how open innovation could positively impact our future. Sevra trained as an architect and urban designer and spent ten years working in industry prior to moving into the not-for-profit sector.

As Director of Architecture, Fashion and Design, Sevra will lead major projects including working closely with curators Manijeh Verghese and Madeleine Kessler on the British Pavilion presentation at the 17th International Architecture Exhibition at la Biennale di Venezia 2020.

Sevra says: 'Having admired the work of the British Council, and particularly the Architecture, Design and Fashion team for many years, I’m delighted to be joining the organisation to build on and continue the success of its Arts strategy. I’ve dedicated my career to arts for social change and the positive contribution that architecture, design and fashion can make, and I believe strongly in the British Council’s work fostering cultural exchange and dialogue through the arts. I look forward to working with the team and wider partners to further demonstrate the potential of creativity and design to ignite imaginations and connect people worldwide.'

British Council Director Arts, Kate Arthurs says: 'Sevra’s passion for design and vision for how it can help us shape our societies could not be more relevant to today’s global challenges. I’m looking forward to working with her and supporting the UK design community to build even better connections overseas.'

Notes to Editor

For more information, please contact Hayley Willis in the British Council press office: 

+44 (0) 207 389 4343 or email hayley.willis@britishcouncil.org

 

About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. We work with over 100 countries in the fields of arts and culture, English language, education and civil society. Last year we reached over 80 million people directly and 791 million people overall including online, broadcasts and publications. We make a positive contribution to the countries we work with – changing lives by creating opportunities, building connections and engendering trust. Founded in 1934 we are a UK charity governed by Royal Charter and a UK public body. We receive a 15 per cent core funding grant from the UK government. britishcouncil.org