23rd May 2019
![Photo of Tom Velvick](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/tom_velvick_final.jpg?itok=8qHSDtGs)
Tom Velvick looks back on how a career that began in advertising has now led to him overseeing the "all things to all people" arts label Dead Man.
17th May 2019
![Nickie Miles-Wildin Photo of Nickie Miles-Wildin](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/final_nickie_miles-wildin.jpg?itok=wQJ3EEZP)
NICKIE MILES-WILDIN has joined Graeae Theatre Company as their new Associate Director. For the past 18 months she has been Resident Assistant Director at Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester, as part of Regional Theatre Young Director's Scheme. She succeeds AMIT SHARMA who moved to Birmingham Repertory Theatre earlier...
![Simon Armitage Photo of Simon Armitage](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/final_simon_armitage_credit_uni_leeds.jpg?itok=LrkKvdxB)
Currently Professor of Poetry at the University of Leeds, SIMON ARMITAGE CBE is succeeding Dame CAROL ANN DUFFY as Poet Laureate for the next decade. The announcement comes five months after he won the Queen's Gold Medal for Poetry 2018.
![Emily Bartlett Photo of Emily Bartlett](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/final_emily_bartlett.jpg?itok=SnEuu5JG)
The Machynlleth Tabernacle Trust, responsible for Machynlleth’s Museum of Modern Art, has announced EMILY BARTLETT as its first Managing Director. She currently works as Director of Eastside Venues at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham City University, and will take up her new position next month.
![Helen Sprott Photo of Helen Sprott](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/final_helen_sprott.jpg?itok=FL_zu51Q)
After two years leading the Philharmonia Orchestra, HELEN SPROTT has decided to step down as Managing Director. During her tenure she oversaw the development of the Philharmonia’s Digital Innovation programme; the launch of the Negaunee-Salonen Conducting Programme in partnership with Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Colburn School in Los Angeles; and the expansion of the Orchestra’s relationship with Garsington Opera.
RYAN MCBRYDE is joining Mercury Theatre as Creative Director to focus on the theatre’s own Made In Colchester productions and its artistic and talent development programmes. He will join Joint Chief Executives STEVE MANNIX and TRACEY CHILDS in the newly formed leadership team.
![Sarah Woods Photo of Sarah Woods](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/final_sarah_woods.jpg?itok=GJ7S2ojo)
Previously Interim Director of External Affairs at Help Musicians, SARAH WOODS has now been appointed as their Director of Communications & Business Services. Her career has included roles at the Royal Albert Hall as Director of External Affairs and Director of Customer Relations.
10th May 2019
![Jude Christian Photo of Jude Christian](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/final_judechristian.jpg?itok=5cz8YWW4)
HOME, Manchester’s multi-art form centre, has announced JUDE CHRISTIAN as the new Associate Director. She was previously Resident Director at the National Theatre Studio, an Associate Artist at The Yard and the Lyric Hammersmith, Dramaturg at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, and is currently an Associate Artist at the Gate Theatre.
![Photo of Craig Titley](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/final_craigtitley.jpg?itok=k5hjQalf)
CRAIG TITLEY has been appointed as South Hill Park’s new Chief Executive. He joined as Executive Director in May 2017 and has previously served six years as a trustee. Formerly Chief Executive at Future Talent, he has also worked at the Theatre Royal in Windsor, Watford Palace Theatre and as Director of Marketing for Rambert.
![Katy Fuller Photo of Katy Fuller](https://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/sites/artsprofessional.co.uk/files/styles/220_by_160_sidebar/public/final_katyfullercreditr_rstudio.jpg?itok=4Dolixa4)
After four years with Absolutely Cultured, first as Executive Producer for Hull 2017 and later as Creative Director and CEO, KATY FULLER has announced that she is stepping down to pursue other creative projects. She championed the evolution of Humber Street Gallery and the Volunteering Programme and has ensured learning and engagement opportunities have been embedded in all the company’s work.