Following Labour’s general election landslide victory, Lisa Nandy has been appointed to Keir Starmer’s cabinet as secretary of state for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport.
It comes as Thangam Debonnaire, who was shadow secretary of state for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport in opposition, lost her Bristol seat to Green Party leader Carla Denyer.
Nandy, who has been known for backing the BBC licensing fee, studied politics at Newcastle University before doing a masters in public policy at Birkbeck University. She began her career as a researcher for Walthamstow Labour MP Neil Gerrard, going on to work in research and polity at charities including The Children’s Society and Centrepoint.
She took up her seat as MP for Wigan in February 2010, and in her time in parliament has served in Starmer’s shadow cabinet as shadow foreign secretary and shadow Secretary of State for Levelling Up.
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But what is adland asking the new culture secretary for?
Advertising Association director of policy and government affairs, Lisa Hayley Jones
“The UK advertising industry is an important part of the creative industries, working alongside our colleagues in film, TV, the arts, fashion, gaming, design and more to power our creative culture here in the UK and on the world stage.
“At the same time, we provide hugely valued services to all kinds of businesses, large and small, that help them to innovate, compete, create jobs and secure future investment, supporting growth across the wider economy.
“We look forward to working with the secretary of state to help achieve the new government’s priorities, including increased investment in the creative industries in the regions and greater support for creative education and skills which are critical to our industry’s success.”
Conscious Advertising Network chair, Jake Dubbins
“The Conscious Advertising Network would be looking for culture secretary Lisa Nandy to engage with all parts of the industry. especially civil society.
“Further, we would urge for her to convene a cross-industry group to respond to the UN Global Principles for Information Integrity. How does the industry and government better protect journalists and freedom of expression as well as confronting hate speech and misinformation?
“Keeping kids safe online, driving accountability for tech platforms and transparency for advertisers should all be at the top of the in-tray.”
BBD Perfect Storm co/labs managing partner Laura Redman
“With Lisa Nandy stepping up to lead DCMS it’s a big moment for us all in the digital and cultural sectors. She needs to be someone who can foster innovation, boost our digital infrastructure, and give our creative industries the support and direction they need from government”
“We’ve found 3 in 5 business leaders are worried about the digital world evolving faster than their businesses can keep pace. This is where the DCMS needs to understand the new digital space brands and businesses operate within, and deliver in partnership on issues such as staying culturally relevant and protecting creativity.”
Featured image credit: Lauren Hurley, No. 10 Downing Street
