Initial Reflections - Andrew Dixon

12th May 2010

Anderson Strathern LLP, 1 Rutland Court, Edinburgh

Please intimate interest in a potential place by ballot as it is anticipated this event may be oversubscribed.

If you are allocated a place it will cost £15 per head to include a donation to the Network for other niche events.

Andrew Dixon starts at Creative Scotland in May. He began his career as administrator and youth projects director of the Major Road Theatre Company. After five years as a Local Government Arts Officer he moved to Northern Arts, progressing to become Chief Executive. He was a member of the national executive team of Arts Council England for three years before moving to his current role promoting NewcastleGateshead as a world-class place to live, work, learn and visit.  As Chief Executive of Northern Arts, he raised the profile of the region through advocating for, and finding partnership funding for large projects such as the Baltic, the Angel of the North and The Sage Gateshead. He also initiated the merger of three funded film agencies to create the Northern Film and Media Agency. When the regional arts boards became part of Arts Council England, he oversaw the merger of Northern Arts into the new organisation and took a national leadership role, designing the Arts Council’s Regional Lottery programme.

As Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative, he has been running a public private sector partnership with 176 members, promoting cultural festivals and events and managing tourism and conference marketing for the ‘twin cities’. He led the bid to host the World Summit on Arts and Culture in NewcastleGateshead in 2006 and was Programme Director for the summit attracting delegates from 70 countries to the North East. In his role, he has spoken widely on culture and regeneration, creative industries and cultural tourism and has advised local authorities, government agencies and cultural organisations nationally and internationally. He has been a tutor and mentor on the Clore Leadership Programme.  Now aged 51, he was voted Alternative Businessman of the year in 2005 for his public sector work in North East England. He has been a member of the North East Economic Forum and is a board member of enterprise agency Entrust.  He has worked regularly with Ministers, national and local politicians.

£15.00 per head payable to secure registration.  It is probable a ballot may require to be held for places at this event. Please indicate your interest by completing and returning the form.

For further information contact Ann Packard.