New Brighton Dome and Festival chief executive announced

Lucy Davies will replace former chief executive Andrew Comben, whose departure was announced in April this year following 16 years of service to the city's arts scene.

Ms Davies is joining the arts organisation from her post as executive director at London's Young Vic Theatre, where she was responsible for major Olivier-award-winning productions.

Andrew Comben at the Brighton Festival launch in 2019 (Image: Allan Hutchings)

She said: "I am truly overjoyed to become the new chief executive of Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival.

"Brighton Dome is a unique, iconic and magical set of spaces with so many stories and memories baked into its bricks and Brighton Festival is one of the longest-running, most joyful and dynamic festivals in our cultural calendar."

Under Andrew Comben's leadership, the Dome opened up two new performance spaces and also took over the management of Create Music, which helps teach music to 20,000 children.

The Children's Parade starts the annual Brighton Festival (Image: Andrew Gardner / The Argus)

Ms Davies brings her experience at the Young Vic Theatre to the coast along with decades of work producing shows at the National Theatre Wales and Royal Court Theatre in London.

She has worked on innovative award-winning performances like The Passion with Michael Sheen in Port Talbot and a 24 hour non-stop performance of The Second Woman with Idris Elba and Ruth Wilson.

She said: "It’s an honour to follow Andrew Comben, who has led with so much imagination, stability and generosity.

"I cannot wait for the fantastic artistic possibilities and opportunities to positively impact lives in this most creative of cities, working with brilliant partners across the region and friends throughout the world.

"Off we go…”

The Brighton Dome in Church Street, Brighton (Image: The Argus)

The Brighton Dome and Festival reaches an audience of more than 650,000 people each year with its spaces and performances regarded as a major cultural destination not only in the South East but the UK.

The appointment was made following a thorough selection process with applicants from across the arts industry.

Danny Homan, chairman of trustees at Brighton Dome and Brighton Festival, said: “On behalf of all trustees I’d like to congratulate Lucy on her appointment as our new chief executive.

"This is a key leadership role for our city, region and sector and she brings a wealth of experience, knowledge and connections.

"We have ambitious plans for the future and I’m confident that Lucy’s collaborative style, energy and drive will catalyse an exciting phase of growth and creative expansion for our organisation focussed on the audiences and communities that we serve.”

She will take over the post from Andrew Comben in the new year.