Women are to make up the majority of the Edinburgh International Festival's board for the first time in 73 years.  

The EIF has unveiled six new trustees as part of what it described as "a board for the future". 

Read more: Edinburgh sets stage for annual role as worldwide arts hub

The new appointments include Leonie Bell, former Head of Culture Strategy and Engagement at the Scottish Government, who is currently steering Paisley’s ambitious cultural regeneration plans stemming from its UK City of Culture Bid. 

The Herald:

Charity legal specialist Marion Davis is a Senior Associate with BTO Solicitors, with over 17 years’ experience specialising in charity law.

She has also been the chair of Project Ability, a charity that supports people with learning disabilities and mental ill-health to achieve their artistic potential.

Ann Henderson is the current rector of the University of Edinburgh. She has a background in trade unions and women’s movements and has previously worked in community development and in the rail industry – including working as a train guard and driver in Glasgow.

BBC Director of Digital Products Chris Condron is responsible for six of the BBC’s eight primary digital services, including BBC News, BBC Sport and all the BBC’s children and education services.

The Herald:
 

Keith Skeoch Keith oversees £577bn of clients’ assets as Chief Executive of Standard Life Aberdeen plc. and Yasmin Sulaiman, an award-winning journalist who leads the Creative Bridge programme at CodeBase make up the remaining appointments.

The Herald:

The Board of Trustees'  role  is to back Festival Director Fergus Linehan and Executive Director Francesca Hegyi in delivering the annual programme and developing the organisation.

Read more: Edinburgh sets stage for annual role as worldwide arts hub

Niall Lothian, Chairman, Edinburgh International Festival Board of Trustees said: “The International Festival is gearing up for the future and this female-majority board reflects that.

"More broadly, the calibre of talent that we now have on the board gives us a spread of expertise that would be the envy of any forward-facing international organisation, in combining fresh inspiration with the experience and knowledge of our longstanding members."