The Stage

ACE chair Frayling to stay on until January 2009

Published Tuesday 21 August 2007 at 14:40 by Alistair Smith

Arts Council England chair Christopher Frayling has been appointed to his post for an extra year to avoid a situation where he would leave the organisation at the same time as chief executive Peter Hewitt.

Hewitt is due to depart ACE at the end of the financial year in March, while Frayling’s contract had been scheduled to expire in February. However, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport has now confirmed that Frayling, who succeeded Gerry Robinson as chair in 2004, will continue for a final term of one year until January 31, 2009.

An ACE spokesperson commented: “We are delighted that Sir Christopher will be staying on as chairman for another year. His experience is unparalleled and his continuing leadership will be invaluable to the new chief executive, who will succeed Peter Hewitt in April 2008.”

Meanwhile, interviews are under way to find a successor for Hewitt. An appointment is expected this autumn, followed by a handover period in which Hewitt will work alongside the new chief executive, who will finally take on the role fully in April of next year.

Sarah Weir, executive director of Arts Council England, London is understood to be one of the front-runners for the role, which currently attracts a total pay package of around £150,000, including pension.

ACE is currently preparing to discover the results of the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review, out of which it will be allocated its budget for the next three years. An announcement, which has already been delayed a number of times, is now expected in October.