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Media Veteran Takes Arts Council Helm
2 Jun
Summary
- Dawn Airey, experienced media professional, appointed Arts Council England chair.
- She succeeds Sir Nicholas Serota, whose term concludes July 31.
- Airey's four-year term begins August 1, succeeding Serota's extended leadership.
Dawn Airey, a distinguished figure with over 30 years in media and creative industries, will assume the role of chair for Arts Council England. Her appointment, announced by Secretary of State Lisa Nandy, begins on August 1, following Sir Nicholas Serota's departure at the end of July. Airey's career includes leadership positions at Channel 5, Sky, ITV, and Yahoo!, as well as serving as CEO of Getty Images. She has also chaired the Barclays FA Women's Super League and is currently chancellor of Edge Hill University.
Airey expressed her honour in succeeding Sir Nicholas Serota, acknowledging his significant contributions. She emphasized the vital role of the arts in fostering human connection and creativity, especially in an increasingly automated world. Her mandate includes supporting and protecting the arts with transparency and a fairer distribution of resources. Airey is also known for her work with the National Youth Theatre and Digital Theatre+, and was recognized with a CBE in the 2024 Birthday Honours.
