Thu 28 Sep 2006

Jonathan Mills, the incoming Director and Chief Executive of the Edinburgh International Festival, today announced the appointment of Joanna Baker as Managing Director of the Festival.

Ms Baker will take up the post on 1 November this year. This forms part of a reorganisation of the management team at the Festival; the new post of Director of Planning and Operations will be recruited shortly.

Jonathan Mills said ‘I am delighted that Joanna Baker has accepted this post. She has a deep knowledge, understanding and experience of the Festival. I am sure we will work closely together to ensure the smooth running and strategic development of the future of this great institution.’

‘Her knowledge of and contacts within the performing arts in Scotland and the Scottish Arts Council, allied to her extensive experience of the arts internationally, will be invaluable to the Festival in her new role.’

‘We are also actively seeking to recruit new talent and ideas to the Festival through the post of Director of Planning and Operations. Joanna’s appointment is important and allows me to build on the organisation’s existing strengths and brings stability and continuity in this time of natural renewal.’

Joanna Baker joined the Festival in 1992 as Marketing and Public Affairs Director. Prior to that she worked with Welsh National Opera, Sadler's Wells Royal Ballet and the National Theatre in London. She was a board member of Scottish Ballet from 1998 to 2000. Appointed to the Scottish Arts Council in 2000, Joanna Baker chaired its Dance Committee from 2000 to 2004 and served as Vice Chair of Council from October 2005 until the conclusion of her term of office in September this year.

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Press contact: Susie Burnet or Jackie Westbrook 0131 473 2020 press@eif.co.uk