NESTA has appointed Jonathan Kestenbaum (pictured), a venture capitalist with extensive business experience, as its new Chief Executive. He replaces Jeremy Newton who stepped down earlier this year.
Colin Bradie has become Director of Promote YT, the national agency promoting the development of youth theatre in Scotland. He was previously the leader of Edinburgh?s Royal Lyceum Youth Theatre and a youth development drama worker for Eden Court Theatre.
Judge Bryan McMahon is the new Chairman of Dublin?s Abbey Theatre. A judge of the Circuit Court since 1999, he is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law at UCC, Chair of the Irish Universities Quality Board and Chair of the National Archives Advisory Council. Tom Hickey and Suzanne Kelly have also been appointed to the board.
Abigail Allt has joined Essex on Tour as Administration and Marketing Assistant. She was previously Assistant Arts Officer at Essex University.
Scottish Ballet has announced the appointment of a new Associate Director (Education), Ailsa-Mary Gold. She was formerly a lecturer in Movement and Dance at Coatbridge College.
Pippa Coles is leaving the Head of Programme post at BALTIC, but will maintain close links with the organisation through a programme of curatorial research, writing and by contributing to a public programme of activities.
Sarah Atkins has taken over from Matt Langridge as Project Officer for Gravity, a youth arts partnership project. She previously worked for the Brighton Institute of Modern Music for three years.
Gwyn Miles has been appointed Director of Somerset House Trust, to succeed Diana Hansen. Gwyn has worked at the V&A since 1985, most recently as Director of Projects and Estate.
Kate Flannery, previously Marketing & Communications Manager at Wysing Arts, has joined Cambridge Arts Theatre as Press & PR Manager. Mark Passey, formerly Technical Manager at the Theatre Royal, Bury St Edmunds, has also joined the organisation, as Technical Manager.
Merseyside Young People?s Theatre Company (MYPT) has appointed Michael Quirke as its new General Manager. Currently co-ordinating MYPT?s autumn tour, Michael has previously worked for Liverpool Comedy Trust and the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse. He succeeds Julia Beacon, who left to become Stage Director for Dundee Rep.
Alex Reedijk will take over as General Director of Scottish Opera from Interim Director Richard Jarman in February 2006. Alex is currently General Director of New Zealand Opera.
Vicki McCorkell has been appointed as the new Mentoring Co-Ordinator for Full Circle Arts.
The International Workshop Festival has appointed a new Executive Director. Lyndsey Stephenson leaves Arts Council England, London to join the festival in December.
Jonathan Church (pictured), currently Artistic Director of the Birmingham Repertory Theatre, has been appointed Artistic Director and joint Chief Executive of Chichester Festival Theatre. In a shake-up of Chichester?s management structure, Alan Finch, currently Executive Director will assume the role of joint Chief Executive.
Gregory Nash is to become Director of The Point, Eastleigh, replacing Mary Dawson who is retiring in December. Gregory was Director of the Australian Dance Council and prior to that worked as Programme Manager for Dance Umbrella and as Dance Projects Manager for the British Council.
Alasdair Ross has been appointed as Administrator of the Aberdeen International Youth Festival, and Ben Torrie, Aberdeen International Youth Festival?s Box Office Manager, has been appointed Administrator of the Puppet Animation Festival.
Darshan Singh Bhuller will stand down as Artistic Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre next year after four years in the role.
Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival (hcmf) has appointed Graham McKenzie as Artistic Director and Chief Executive with effect from January 2006. He has been Director of the Centre for Contemporary Arts in Glasgow since 1997. Heidi Johnson will also be joining hcmf as Education & Outreach Manager and Stella Murrell, who worked with the company from 1997 to 2003, will be returning to it as Development Manager.
Lulu Black has joined TAG Theatre Company as Education Officer after working for London Bubble Theatre, Y Touring and as a freelance performer/director.