CABE appoint director to raise public profile of good design

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) has appointed its first director of policy and communications in a major shift in the organisation's strategy.

CABE now plans to lead a long-term campaign to change public expectations of buildings, and urban space in England, as well as influencing and enabling practitioners to use good design.

"We intend to focus on the consumers - not just the providers of our streets, parks and buildings," said Matt Bell, who begins his new post on 1 September.

"Right now, most people expect the worst. Often they assume any new development will either be ugly, too expensive or dehumanising. We need to demonstrate what's possible, shake up the public debate, and dramatically raise popular aspirations for the quality of the places where we all live and work".

Bell was formerly communications director at Voluntary Service Overseas, where he led and transformed the organisation's brand, recruitment and advocacy campaigns over the last five years.