Davey appointed ACE chief exec

Published Wednesday 26 September 2007 at 12:35 by Matthew Hemley

Alan Davey, director of culture at the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has been appointed new chief executive of Arts Council England.

He will take up the post in early 2008 and will succeed Peter Hewitt, who will have been in the job for ten years when he steps down next year.

Davey, 46, has been director of culture at the DCMS since 2003, having worked in the department as head of the arts division since 2001.

Prior to that he worked at what was then the Department of National Heritage, where he was responsible for designing the National Lottery. He has also worked at the Department of Health.

Davey said: “The arts in England have never been healthier, more challenging, innovative or popular. I want the arts council to be at the forefront of building on that success - working with artists to reach even greater heights, leading the arts with passion and excellence, and forging new partnerships that secure the position of the arts in national life.

“Building on what has been achieved by Peter Hewitt, I am confident that a creative, focused and entrepreneurial arts council can do just that. I can’t wait to get started.”

ACE chairman Christopher Frayling said Davey’s appointment was a “milestone” for the organisation and added: “Building on the real success of Peter Hewitt’s ten years as chief executive, Alan will bring inspirational leadership, strategic vision and ambassadorial flair - qualities he possesses in abundance, based on his high level experience with the arts.”