Duncan Hendry will become the Trust’s new Chief Executive with effect from today. The Festival City Theatres Trust, is responsible for running both the Festival and King’s Theatres in Edinburgh.
Duncan has over 20 years experience of the arts, including ten years as Artistic Director of the Aberdeen Alternative Festival. Since 2004 he has been Chief Executive of Aberdeen Performing Arts which is responsible for running His Majesty’s Theatre, the Music Hall and the Lemon Tree in the city.
Pat Weller, who has been acting as Interim Chief Executive of the Festival City Theatres Trust since July 2011, formally stepped down at the end of January 2012 but will continue to work closely with Duncan to ensure a smooth handover.
Chris Masters, Chairman of the Trust, said:-
‘I am delighted to welcome Duncan to the Trust as our new Chief Executive. Duncan has an enviable track record in the arts and I am confident that his knowledge and experience will prove invaluable to the Trust as we move forward.’
Duncan Hendry commented;
‘I am absolutely delighted to be joining the Festival City Theatres Trust. After 12 years in my current role and over 20 years of arts programming in Aberdeen, it was a big decision to leave a job that I love. I am however, hugely excited at taking on this new challenge and am really looking forward to working with the team in Edinburgh to further develop these two great theatres and build on the impressive programme of work they have presented in recent years’.
Councillor Deidre Brock, Culture and Leisure Convener for the City of Edinburgh Council, said;
‘On behalf of the Council, I would like to add my welcome to Duncan. I look forward to working closely with him as he takes the reins of two of Scotland’s finest and most iconic theatres.”
