Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has appointed Dawn Airey, who has held senior roles at a raft of broadcasters, as the next chair of Arts Council England.

Airey has more than 30 years’ experience in the media and creative industries, including stints as chief executive of Channel 5 and as managing director of channels and services at Sky.

She is also a former managing director of global content at ITV and worked at Yahoo as senior vice president for Europe, Middle East and Africa.

In addition, she spent three years as chief executive of Getty Images until 2018.

Airey, who is currently chair of the National Youth Theatre and the Barclays FA Women’s Super League and Women’s Championship board, replaces Nicholas Serota as chair of Arts Council England.

“Dawn brings more than just a wide range of experience across broadcasting, theatre and the wider arts – she brings a passion for what the arts can do for this country and all the people in it,” said Nandy.

Airey added: “The importance of the Arts Council in championing art and culture has never been more needed because the sector has never been more vital to our nation.

“In a world where Al, technology and automation are increasingly dominant, human connection, experience, imagination and creativity are the things that bring us together. They are the quintessential elements of a creative life and of a life well lived.”

Arts Council England is a registered charity and the national development agency for creativity and culture.

---