Dawn Airey CBE appointed as Chair of Arts Council England

Dawn has over 30 years of expertise within the media and artistic industries, holding senior management positions throughout main broadcasters. Her government profession contains serving as Chief Executive of Channel 5, the place she was the inaugural Director of Programmes, and Managing Director of Channels and Services at Sky. She has additionally held roles as Managing Director of Global Content at ITV and Senior Vice President at Yahoo! for Europe, Middle East and Africa. Dawn additionally served because the Chief Executive of Getty Images between 2015 and 2018.   

Dawn holds a number of high-profile non-executive positions. She is presently the Chair of the National Youth Theatre and the academic platform Digital Theatre+. She additionally chairs the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship board, a place she has held since 2019. In 2023 Dawn was appointed Chancellor of Edge Hill University. In 2021 she joined the board of Channel 4, the place she acted as Interim Chair from 2022 – 25, she is presently Deputy Chair of the Board. 

In the 2024 Birthday Honours, Dawn was awarded a CBE for providers to theatre and to charity. She is a Vice President and Fellow of the Royal Television Society, and a Fellow of the Royal Society for Arts.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy mentioned: 

I’m thrilled to announce Dawn Airey because the incoming chair of Arts Council England. She will take the helm at this extremely necessary time, as this Government seeks to unlock entry to distinctive arts for everybody, in all places. 

Dawn brings extra than simply a variety of expertise throughout broadcasting, theatre and the broader arts – she brings a ardour for what the humanities can do for this nation and all of the individuals in it. I’ve little doubt that she is going to insist on urgent forward with lengthy overdue motion to place individuals again on the centre of their very own nationwide story.

I might additionally prefer to thank Sir Nicholas Serota for his tireless dedication to the humanities and to artists. His tenure as Chair was throughout maybe essentially the most difficult time for the humanities, encompassing funding cuts, a world pandemic, Brexit negotiations and the downgrading of arts on the nationwide curriculum. 

Throughout all of this he has been a relaxed, passionate and reassuring presence and a steadfast champion for entry to nice artwork. We owe him our gratitude.

Incoming Chair of Arts Council England Dawn Airey CBE mentioned: 

I’m thrilled and humbled to succeed the humanities titan that’s Sir Nicholas Serota, who has magnificently and courageously chaired Arts Council England for the final decade. He has been good.

The significance of the Arts Council in championing artwork and tradition has by no means been extra wanted as a result of the sector has by no means been extra important to our nation. In a world the place Al, expertise and automation are more and more dominant, human connection, expertise, creativeness and creativity are the issues that deliver us collectively. They are the quintessential parts of a artistic life and of a life nicely lived.

The Arts Council has a transparent new mandate, knowledgeable by the current Independent Review – to do extra to assist, nurture and defend the humanities, and to take action transparently, with velocity and with a fairer distribution of spend.

I’m honoured to have been appointed as the brand new Chair of Arts Council England as we champion creative excellence and expertise for all, wherever you reside, no matter you do. This is your Arts Council and I’m excited to be a part of it.

Sir Nicholas Serota CH, Chair, Arts Council England, mentioned:

Being Chair of Arts Council England, an establishment that has served the nation in its assist for artwork and tradition for the previous eighty years, has been an ideal honour. Over the final decade, now we have navigated durations of serious change and uncertainty, together with a world pandemic, financial challenges and shifts in the best way individuals have interaction with tradition. Through all of it, the creativity, resilience and ambition of the sector have been extraordinary.

In Dawn, the Arts Council can have a pacesetter who understands the distinctive function the humanities play in society and the profound influence they’ve on people. I’m assured that, below her stewardship, the organisation will thrive and the sector will flourish. 

Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, mentioned:

It’s been an absolute privilege to work alongside Nick. We all share the deepest respect for him and the excellent management and steering he’s given us over the previous decade. As our subsequent chapter begins, it’s thrilling to have Dawn as our new chief. We’ll profit from her wealth of expertise throughout the humanities, media and sport. From day one, she’ll be a catalyst for change serving to us within the subsequent stage of our journey championing the worth of artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries. I share her ardour for making certain England is a nation which actually provides a good unfold of fantastic tradition for everyone, in all places.

Under Arts Council England’s Royal Charter, the appointment of the Chair is made by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. 

Ministers had been assisted of their choice making by an Advisory Assessment Panel which included a senior departmental official and a Senior Independent Panel Member accredited by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 

Notes to editors 

• The Chair of Arts Council England is remunerated at £60,000 every year for a time dedication of two days per week. 
• This appointment has been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments course of is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. 
• Under the Code, any vital political exercise undertaken by an appointee within the final 5 years should be declared. This is outlined as together with holding workplace, public talking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Dawn Airey has not declared any vital political exercise.