The Stage

ACE to cut 130 jobs in latest restructure

Published Tuesday 14 July 2009 at 17:55 by Alistair Smith

Arts Council England has announced the details of its latest restructure, which aims to save £6.5 million a year in administration costs.

Proposals were announced in February and have since been refined during a period of formal consultation with staff and unions before being approved by ACE’s national council on July 8.

The overhaul will see staff numbers across the organisation down by 21% - 131 full-time equivalent posts - with nine streamlined regional offices grouped into four areas. The national head office will merge and share a building with the London regional office. The executive board will be reduced from 14 members to nine and the grants for the arts funding system will be centralised and relocated in Manchester.

ACE chief executive Alan Davey said: “This is a challenging process but one that I am determined will result in an arts council that has an ambitious vision for the arts and the confidence and expertise to achieve that vision.

“This is no mere tinkering. It is about transforming the way we work and requires a significant change in our culture. I have confidence in our people’s ability to step up to that challenge - to operate as one organisation, with responsibility and openness, to achieve our mission of great art for everyone.”

The changes are part of efforts by ACE to meet the government’s requirement it saves 15% on its grant in aid administration costs by 2010. ACE is also intending to find equivalent savings on its National Lottery administration costs, making a total saving of £6.5 million a year. Implementation of the changes will begin immediately and the new structure will be in place by April 2010.