The Royal Society Of Arts (RSA) has appointed ex-BMG SVP of rights and royalties (UK and EU) Sarah Mitchell as its new director of Fellowship, while Soho House chief membership officer Tom Russell becomes its newest trustee.
Mitchell will lead the RSA’s global Fellowship strategy, supported by head of Fellowship Harriette Hickey. She will also work closely with CEO David Joseph, and director of strategy and creative Charlotte Thomson in shaping the broader strategic direction of the organisation.
“We are delighted to welcome Sarah and Tom to the RSA at such an important moment for our Fellowship," said Joseph, former chairman and CEO of Universal Music UK. "Our strength comes from bringing people together, and they will both play a vital role in ensuring that our community stays at the centre of what we do.”
Mitchell brings more than 20 years’ experience in service and operational management, including 12 years in the music industry. She was a member of BMG’s senior leadership team, sitting on the UK Board, while also representing the organisation externally on both the PPL Board and BPI Council.
She previously spent eight years at PPL, including four years as director of membership, and has also held senior customer service positions at Carphone Warehouse and Eurostar International.
“I am thrilled to have joined the Royal Society Of Arts and to be working with David and his team at such a pivotal moment for the organisation," said Mitchell. "The RSA has an extraordinary heritage, but its greatest asset is its Fellowship - a unique community of people with a shared desire to make a difference, proving that creativity, applied with purpose, can make change for the common good. I am thrilled to have been given the opportunity to contribute to this next chapter of its history."
Sarah and Tom bring exceptional experience of building and sustaining thriving communities
Sir Loyd Grossman, RSA
Russell, meanwhile, joined Soho House in 2007, during the early days at the original House on Greek Street and oversees global membership, with a particular focus on creating engaged local creative networks in over 90 cities around the world.
"I'm delighted to be invited to join as a Trustee of the Royal Society Of Arts," he said. "I’m particularly interested in the RSA’s role in bringing together people and ideas to unlock creativity and practical action for the common good, and through my experience at Soho House, helping to develop and grow its Fellowship for a new generation."
Sir Loyd Grossman CBE, chair of the RSA, added: “Our Fellowship has always been our great strength, bringing together people with imagination, expertise and public spirit from across the world. Sarah and Tom bring exceptional experience of building and sustaining thriving communities, and I am delighted they will help us strengthen the value of Fellowship and grow it for a new generation.”
The RSA recently honoured Google DeepMind co-founder Sir Demis Hassabis with its Albert Medal for his “extraordinary contribution to advancing artificial intelligence in service of humanity”.
One of the leading names in artificial intelligence, Sir Demis called upon the creative industries to pursue a "new Renaissance" defined by increased co-operation between science and the arts.
