A FORMER CEO of the National Arts Festival, Tony Lankester, has been appointed the new CEO of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Lankester studied Journalism and Media Studies at Rhodes University, followed by stints in broadcasting and corporate sponsorships before his appointment at the National Arts Festival, where he was CEO from 2007-2019.
Speaking from London, Lankester said, “I'm going into the job in Edinburgh with the winds of Makhanda at my back. The National Arts Festival is what started my love affair with the arts world and I am forever grateful for the time I had there and what I learned about this industry.
"Being able to witness, first hand, the transformative power of the arts for performers and audiences and to be part of a city that, like Edinburgh, knows how to put on a great show are definitely things I will take with me into this new role.”
While Lankester was at the National Arts Festival, it broadened its funding base and launched several new festivals – including the Cape Town Fringe and the Creativate Digital Arts Festival. The Festival also increased its global reach by sending productions to Fringe Festivals in Australia, the UK, the USA and across Europe. He was also founding Chair of the World Fringe Alliance, a group of ten Fringe Festivals which opened touring pathways for artists across the globe.
Incumbent National Arts Festival CEO Sikkie Kajee congratulated Lankester on his appointment as CEO of the Edinburgh Fringe saying: "We feel encouraged that the diversity of his experience carries him into this new role as CEO of the founding Fringe festival champion, Edinburgh; a global movement that plays a critical role in driving new work and opportunities for artists on stages across the world.”
Lankester takes over as CEO of the Edinburgh Fringe in April. He remains a trustee on the National Arts Festival board.
The Independent on Saturday