World renowned choreographer Hofesh Shechter has been named as Brighton Festival’s guest director for 2014.

The Israeli-born is no stranger to the area, with his company being named Brighton Dome’s first ever resident group in 2008.

It marks a move away from the event’s choice of global stars for the role, which has included Brian Eno (2010), Aung San Suu Kyi (2011) and Vanessa Redgrave (2012).

The 38-year-old said he was both “honoured” and “excited” to be taking the baton from this year’s Argus Angel-winning director Michael Rosen.

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He said: “Brighton has a magic to it no one can explain. Finding a place where one can develop and grow artistically is a delicate thing, an important thing.

“To be asked to lead this amazing event in 2014, to be asked to inspire, energise, encourage... well, delighted, is just a boring word.”

Shechter went to Jerusalem’s Academy of Music and Dance at the age of 15 before joining the famous Batsheva Dance Company three years later.

He moved to the UK in 2002 and in 2008 his company, The Hofesh Shechter Company, was named the resident group at the Dome.

Festival goers can expect a heavy dose of the artists’ groundbreaking contemporary dance at the May event.

Andrew Comben, chief executive of the festival, said his knowledge of local audiences would be key to his success.

He added: “As the artistic director of our resident company, it has been exciting for us and our audiences to experience first-hand his ascent to becoming a major force on the international contemporary dance scene.

“His instinctive understanding of Brighton and our festival has been a great starting point for our planning, and I feel it’s particularly pertinent he steps into the role in 2014 following a highly successful five years of working together.

“His work and creative vision contains that rare quality and sense of adventure that sparks the imaginations of a much wider audience beyond his own discipline.”

His appointment is the culmination of a five-year relationship with the Dome and festival.

The festival runs from May 3-25, 2014.

The full programmeis to be unveiled on February 25.