Anand Bhatt appointed chief executive and artistic director of Dance City

Dance City has appointed Anand Bhatt as its new chief executive and artistic director.

Bhatt will begin the role at the North East dance development organisation on July 1, replacing Anthony Baker.

He was previously executive producer at Leicester’s Aakash Odedra Company, which he jointly founded in 2011.

Dance City has venues in Newcastle and Sunderland, and also works with communities throughout the region.

Bhatt said: “Dance City is a unique and dynamic dance institution and I am delighted to be taking up the post at one of the leading cultural organisations in the North.

“My journey to Dance City began at the start of this year before any of us could have predicted the impact that the pandemic would have on society and the cultural sector in particular.”

He added: “I know that over the coming months Dance City will have to scrutinise all areas of our business, make savings and efficiencies, change the way we operate and think carefully about how we deliver our mission, vision and charitable purpose.

“The challenges we face with this pandemic are unprecedented but I’m looking forward to working with the talented team at Dance City so that we can continue to make a difference to the lives of people in the North East and contribute to the regional economy.”