Former BBC exec to replace Dinah Caine.

Seetha Kumar

Creative Skillset, the UK’s creative undustries’ skills body, has named Seetha Kumar as its new CEO.

She will succeed Dinah Caine who will move to chair the Creative Skillset Board.

Kumar is currently vp of education firm Pearson Qualifications International and previously had a long career at the BBC, which latterly included controller of BBC Online.

According to Creative Skillset, her task will be to “expand the organisation’s engagement with industry, broaden its revenue streams and help futureproof the creative sector in a fast changing and globally competitive skills market”.

Kumar will take up the role on 1 October and said: “I feel privileged to join Creative Skillset and follow Dinah’s remarkable leadership.

“I believe passionately in the critical role our talent base play to ensure that the UK is equipped with the vital skills it needs to remain a global creative leader. I want to do everything I can to ensure our creative industries have the skills to be relevant and competitive.

Creative Skillset Board chair Stewart Till said: “The mix of Seetha’s industry experience and Dinah’s huge knowledge of the political and public policy context will make them an exceptionally productive team.”