IACHLogo Keynote Speaker: Chris Batt

Chris Batt is a digital futures strategist believes that the Web should provide easy access to cultural heritage and knowledge resources for everyone. Chris Batt has more than 30 years experience in the development and implementation of ICT systems in support of universal public access, increasing access to cultural heritage resources and a programme to create a national e-content framework, working with seven major UK content providers.

Until September 2007 Chris Batt was Chief Executive of the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (MLA), the Government’s development agency for the sector. After its creation in 2000 the MLA had a pivotal role in many aspects of cultural heritage ICT strategy. Originally joining national government to lead the implementation of the highly successful £170m People’s Network project, creating ICT learning centres in all 4,000 UK public libraries; training 40,000 library workers and investing £50m in the creation of new e-content resources in museums, libraries and archives, Chris was appointed CEO in 2003.

The MLA’s strategic involvement in ICT included funding of the Collections Trust, Culture24 and joint funding with the JISC of UKOLN. It is also a partner in the Strategic Content Alliance, a ground-breaking programme to explore how digital resources from a number of organisations such as the British Library, BBC, JISC and NHS could be aggregated for maximum value to audiences. The MLA also led a work package for the EU-funded MICHAEL project.

Until August 1999 Chris was Director of Leisure Services for the London Borough of Croydon where he worked for over 20 years. In addition to leading the development of Croydon Clocktower, an award winning cultural centre, and directing libraries, museums and heritage, the arts, sport and recreation, parks and open spaces, and tourism he was instrumental is setting up the first public internet services in public libraries.

Since leaving the MLA Chris has used his strategic digital futures skills lecturing in the UK, Germany, Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and is providing consultancy support to the Strategic Content Alliance on audience analysis, the modelling of service delivery and future strategic direction.