The Stage

Casely-Hayford resigns from ACE senior post

Published Wednesday 24 October 2007 at 15:40 by Alistair Smith

Arts Council England has lost its second senior figure within a month, after Gus Casely-Hayford resigned as executive director of arts strategy.

It follows the announcement that Sarah Weir, executive director of the arts council’s London office, is quitting after failing in her bid to succeed Peter Hewitt as chief executive.

Casely-Hayford took on his role earlier this year and will have been in the post for eight months by the time he leaves at the end of November. It is understood his decision to move on was due to his desire for a more flexible job, after changes in his personal circumstances.

Casely-Hayford has been one of the key figures in the early stages of designing ACE’s funding strategy from 2008 to 2011, but will now leave prior to the completion of those plans later this year.

Casely-Hayford’s departure comes during a period of significant change for ACE. Last year, the organisation undertook restructuring which led to more than 30 job cuts, including several senior posts.

Meanwhile, chief executive Hewitt is due to leave the arts council next spring, when he will be replaced by Alan Davey.