John Howkins

In 2006 he became chairman of the John Howkins Research Centre on the Creative Economy, launched by the Shanghai Municipal Government at the Shanghai School of Creativity, Shanghai Theatre Academy. He is an adviser to the Shanghai Creative Industries Association and the Shanghai Creative Industry Centre. Since 2007 he has chaired BOP Consulting, an independent research and strategy consultancy who maximise the potential of culture, media and creativity, in parallel with his independent consulting work.

The original, essential book on the creative economy, first published in 2001 and updated in 2007 and 2013. Covers the nature of creativity, how to be creative, business models, intellectual property, managing a creative company, the 22 largest sectors, online opportunities, creative capital and more.

Howkins' media career spans TV, film, digital media, publishing and consulting with companies including HandMade plc, Hotbed Media, HBO and, from 1982 to 1996, Time Warner. He is a former chairman of the London Film School and is a former Executive Director of the International Institute of Communications, an independent, non-profit membership organization that focusses on critical policy and regulatory issues in the telecom and media. He was Executive Director of the International Institute of Communications, with members in over 100 countries, from 1985 to 1990. He was the Conference Coordinator of the European Audiovisual Conference, co-hosted by the European Commission and the UK Government, in 1998.

John Anthony Howkins (born 3 August 1945) is a British author and speaker on Creative Industries, particularly the development of this economic sector in China. He is visiting professor, University of Lincoln, England, and vice dean and visiting professor, Shanghai School of Creativity, Shanghai Theater Academy, China.