Following months of controversy amid claims of cronyism, Veronica Wadley (ex-editor of London’s daily freesheet, the Evening Standard) has been appointed the new Chair of Arts Council England, London. Wadley, launched a fierce press campaign in support of Boris Johnson’s candidacy for Mayor of London in 2008, a fact which left several newspapers speculating about preferential treatment when it came to Wadley being announced as the Mayor’s choice for one of the most powerful roles in arts administration.
Prior to her career at the Evening Standard, Wadley worked as a journalist for the Daily Mail, Mail on Sunday, and Daily Telegraph. Her appointment last autumn was originally vetoed by the then Culture Secretary, Ben Bradshaw, after allegations that the process had not complied with Nolan rules on transparency. Following the Mayor’s on-the-record suggestion that she apply for the post, Wadley was rejected in a second interview for the role by at least two of the three panellists sitting in on the original selection.
A rerun of the recruiting exercise was ordered by the Mayor, with his cultural and arts advisor Munira Mirza filling in as Chair in the interim period. The new Conservative culture secretary, Jeremy Hunt, overturned Bradshaw’s decision and approved Wadley’s appointment earlier this month. Wadley was delighted by the news and told the Guardian, “I knew I was the best candidate then, as I know I am now. I have broad experience, and though I am no arts expert, I have a wide-ranging knowledge of the arts.”
The job pays £6,400 for up to 30 days work a year and involves representing London on the board of ACE as well as chairing the London Arts Council. Len Duvall, Chair of the London Assembly’s Economic Development, Culture, Sport and Tourism Committee said that the appointment process would now be subject to closer scrutiny by the Standards Committee. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
Published: 21-06-2010