Erik Spiekermann
Richard Scholey
Carl Leek
Erik Spiekermann, FISTD PPISTD
Erik Spiekermann was ISTD President 2002-05, succeeding the late Colin Banks. He is one of the best-known figures on the international typographic scene. A type designer, and typographic designer, he has built a solid reputation for high quality typography and original, sometimes acerbic, always entertaining, commentary on typographic life.
Now working as an independent design consultant, Spiekermann previously founded both the leading font marketing company FontShop and MetaDesign, a design group specialising in complex, often large, corporate design programmes and information systems. He is a member of the board of directors of the ATypI (Association Typographique Internationale), a member of the Type Directors Club New York, The Art Directors Club, an honorary member of the Typographic Circle London and D&AD. Among the other positions he holds, he is Vice-President of the German Design Council and President of the International Institute for Information Design (IIID). He holds an honorary professorship at the Academy of Arts in Bremen and teaches workshops at design schools across the world.
Richard Scholey, Creative Director
Richard's impressive career started in the big smoke. After Conran and Michael Peters, he moved to Williams and Phoa where he was made director. In 1993, Richard moved back north to The Chase, becoming a director in 1995, before joining Elmwood as creative director in 2001. His clients have included Nike, Royal Mail, the BBC, the Chelsea Flower Show, Canary Wharf, The Design Council and a hairdressers in Rochdale! Among his many accolades are 17 D&AD entries as well as Design Week, New York Festival, International Design Effectiveness, National Graphic and Epica awards. He has been a D&AD judge three times, lectured at various colleges and has recently returned from 18 months in Australia setting up Elmwood's Melbourne office. When he's not at work, Richard loves being with his kids, travelling, watching football and just generally being outside.
Carl Leek, Creative Director, The Chase
Hmmm... the real education started over 18 years ago. A stint at ITC, New York, and an afternoon with the unforgettable Ed Benguiat and I was hooked.
Winning a Royal Society of Arts bursary and a job in London gave me a taste for this design thing. Although it only took me three weeks to realize that working in London wasn't for me. A spontaneous resignation and a one-way ticket back to the hills were soon to follow.
From a mixed bag of designers, writers, typographers, photographers and out-and-out ad men, I've spent the last 18 years learning my stuff (they know who they are and I am eternally grateful).
Several years as Creative Director of Protocol Manchester and then it was time to make my peace with a good suit and create Hutchinson Leek. A partnership aimed at big clients with big ideas - and big budgets.
With a successful business and a portfolio of international brands, the next step was just as exciting as the first.
A merger with The Chase.
Having been a Creative Director at the Chase for the past three years I find myself wearing an impish and wry smile. On one side you have the weight and experience of Ben Casey and Lionel Hatch and on the other you have rooms full of young, exciting, hungry and immensely talented designers.
I may have a few things more to say now, but after 18 years I'm pleased to say I'm still learning.