Dame Liz Forgan has been appointed as Chair of Arts Council England, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham announced today.
Dame Liz Forgan, who was previously Chair of the National Heritage Memorial Fund and the Heritage Lottery Fund, will be the first woman to chair the Arts Council in its 62 year history. She will take up her four-year post on 1 February 2009, replacing current Chair Sir Christopher Frayling.
Following an early career in print journalism, Dame Liz moved to television with the start of Channel 4 where she became Director of Programmes before joining the BBC in 1993, leaving as Managing Director of BBC Radio in 1998. She is currently the Chair of the Scott Trust and a board member of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama.
Burnham said: “I am very pleased to appoint Dame Liz Forgan to the Arts Council.
“The next few years will be both an exciting and challenging time for the Arts world. It will have to deliver big initiatives, such as the Cultural Olympiad and free theatre tickets for under 26s, against an increasingly demanding financial background. I am sure that Liz Forgan’s experience working in the worlds of heritage and media, coupled with her interests in the arts, will serve her well in the role, and I look forward to working with her.”
Dame Liz Forgan said: “This is a golden age of creativity and innovation in England, encouraged and supported over decades by the Arts Council. I am delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to its future.”
Liz Forgan was appointed a Dame Commander of the British Empire for services to broadcasting and heritage in 2006.
Liz joined the National Heritage Memorial Fund and Heritage Lottery Fund as Chair in April 2001 and stood down in October 2008.
Following an early career in journalism, she moved to television with the start of Channel 4 where she became Director of Programmes. She joined the BBC in 1993 leaving as Managing Director of BBC Radio in 1998.
She is a former Chair of the Churches Conservation Trust and also former Trustee of the Phoenix Trust. She is the Chair of the Scott Trust (the non-profit organisation which owns the Guardian Media Group) and a board member of the Conservatoire for Dance and Drama.
The appointment will be for a 4 year term starting 1 February 2009 to 31 January 2013
This appointment attracts a remuneration of £40,000 per annum for 60 days work per annum.
The appointments process was carried out in accordance with the code of practice of the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Appointments are made on merits and political activity plays no part in the selection process. Liz Forgan has not undertaken any political activity during the past five years.
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