NEW Chief Executive Louis Coiffait-Gunn says he is looking forward to leading CILIP as the profession stakes its claim as being an integral part of economic growth.

With a general election to take place by January, Louis is keen to position CILIP’s members as part of the wider solution to transforming the current low-growth economy. He sees the knowledge, skills and expertise of information professionals as a crucial part of leading growth, especially as new technology impacts the lives of all of us.

He says: “It’s a particularly exciting moment to be joining CILIP, as the profession navigates the upcoming elections, rapidly improving AI-powered tech tools, and other headwinds.

“On the former, the next Westminster government will inherit a low-growth economy, high costs, and dire public finances, as indicated by the 74 local authorities now requiring additional support and supervision from Whitehall, and 50 higher education institutions cutting staff or courses with multi-million pound deficits across the sector. “But different political choices are available, and we’ll be working hard to make the case for investment in public services and public sector workers, and for a renewed commitment to inclusion and cohesion.

“If economic growth is the number one priority, then CILIP members across every sector of the profession and across the country are already working hard to unlock it using their unique skills and expertise – from job support services and the IP and Knowledge Network, to opening up access to the latest research, improving literacies, and supporting innovation inside workplaces.”

Louis adds that in a world increasingly powered by data “this profession is uniquely well-placed to answer difficult questions such as how it is gathered, stored and accessed. Your knowledge and skills, combined with the ethics that should underpin its use puts you at the top-table in debates about AI and trusted information.

“Information and knowledge management professionals are helping to drive evidence-based decision-making across the economy, supporting individual and organisational decisions to deliver value at all levels.”

Connecting with members and the wider profession is one of Louis’ priorities as he settles into the role. He says: “We need to keep improving how we tell your story, so please keep the feedback coming. It will be particularly invaluable as I (re)connect with the people outside of the sector we want to influence.

“I know Jo Cornish has been leading on CILIP’s Public Affairs work to help tell that story, and I am looking forward to strengthening the case for librarians and information professionals with the current government and the next.”

Louis also singles out work from CILIP’s Chief Commercial Officer, Duncan Anthony, highlighting the value it will bring to members. He says: “Duncan is not just building the team we need to deliver for our members, but is also embedding an inclusive and performance-focused culture. He is building the structures and systems that will allow members, staff and volunteers to focus their energy towards making positive change.”

You can read a full interview with Louis in the next issue of Information Professional.