All change at ACE: Arm’s-length body announces new chair and funding framework

This article was first published by the Museums Association.

A new chair of Arts Council England (ACE) has been announced following the launch of the organisation’s interim strategic framework last week.

The government has appointed Dawn Airey to chair the arm’s-length body, succeeding Nicholas Serota, who will step down next month after almost 10 years in the role.

Airey has over 30 years of experience in the media and creative industries, and has held senior leadership positions across several major broadcasters. Currently the deputy chair of the board at Channel 4, she will initially serve a four-year term as chair of the arts council, starting on 1 August.

The appointment comes during a period of major change for ACE following the independent review of the organisation published by the Labour peer Margaret Hodge earlier this year.

Last week, the arts council launched a new strategic framework in response to Hodge’s recommendation to scrap its existing 10-year strategy, Let’s Create, in favour of a “less prescriptive” framework with a renewed focus on excellence.  

According to the arts council, the interim strategic framework will act as a “stepping stone” while work begins on developing an new strategy in late 2026.