Blast Theory is delighted to announce that Anthony Lilley has taken the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees for the company. He takes over from Celia Davies, Director of Photoworks and curator of Brighton Photo Biennial who has led the Board since 2013.
Anthony brings a wealth of experience in art, culture and digital policy and production. He has a long history of work at a senior level in the arts most recently as Interim Chief Executive Officer of The Space and Board Strategy Advisor at English National Opera. At Magic Lantern, where he is CEO, he has been a pioneer in creating complex, diverse digital projects for broadcasters and games companies among others.
Matt Adams, artist and co-founder at Blast Theory said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have Anthony join the Board. He is an expert in interdisciplinary thinking and highly respected for his contributions to policy at Ofcom, the Gambling Commission and working with Arts Council England. And, most importantly for us at Blast Theory, he is passionate about making things. As Blast Theory grows, Anthony will be a vital advocate, supporter and critical friend.”
Anthony Lilley said, “I have been a follower of Blast Theory for more or less as long as I can remember. Their work has so often pre-figured advances in storytelling and interactive media and has always intrigued, challenged and inspired me. It is an enormous privilege to be joining the Board at a very exciting time for Blast Theory with major projects planned around the world over the next few years.”
About Anthony
Anthony is a media and arts practitioner and theorist with a background in creative, policy and academic spheres. He is Chief Creative Officer and CEO of Magic Lantern Productions Ltd, a creative house and consultancy, and Executive Chairman of Myra Ventures. His work has been recognised internationally including with BAFTA, Peabody and Royal Television Society awards.
Anthony is a a Council Member of the Arts and Humanities Research Council and recently completed a term as a UK Gambling Commissioner where he also oversaw the UK National Lottery. From 2006-2013 he was a member of the Content Board of the UK Media Regulator, OfCOM.
Anthony holds the Chair of Creative Industries at the University of Ulster, a Visiting Professorship at the UK Centre of Excellence for Media at Bournemouth University and was previously Visiting Professor of Broadcast Media at the University of Oxford where he was a Fellow of Green College.
He has a life-long passion for the arts and began his professional career in theatre. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and has been a Trustee of the English National Opera and Lighthouse. In 2008, he was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list for services to media and the creative industries.
