Hull City of Culture team appoints chair
WRITER and broadcaster Rosie Millard has been appointed to lead Hull’s UK City of Culture 2017 team.
Millard, who has maintained a close link with the city since graduating from the University of Hull in 1987, will now take on the role of chair of the culture company. Today’s announcement by Hull City Council follows a nationwide search to fill this role.
Millard said: “I arrived in Hull to study at the University over 30 years ago and in my heart, I have never left. It is an honour and a privilege to be asked to return to play a part in its renaissance.
“Hull now has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to use culture and the arts to transform perceptions of the city and to change the lives of local people. As Chair of the culture company, I want to help Hull grasp this moment.
“I am looking forward to working with everyone involved to build on the wonderfully imaginative and witty cultural events and experiences already happening in the city. As a passionate believer in accessibility of the arts for all, I believe I can also help Hull realise its ambition to harness audiences across the city and beyond in the build up to and during 2017.
“Most importantly, I want to work with Hull City Council and other partners to ensure that Hull’s year as UK City of Culture helps to revive the local economy and create jobs. City of Culture status is part of a much bigger journey for Hull and I’m determined to ensure it makes a difference.”
Hull City Council leader Stephen Brady said: “I would like to offer a very warm welcome and my congratulations to Rosie as she prepares to lead the team that will deliver Hull’s vision for UK City of Culture 2017.
“Her outstanding track record working in the media, culture and the arts, together with her passion for the city, means she is ideally placed to help Hull take advantage of the fantastic opportunities that City of Culture status brings.”
Hull’s Cabinet Portfolio Holder for UK City of Culture 2017, coun Steven Bayes, added: “I am looking forward to working with Rosie and all of the partners involved to deliver a truly memorable and exciting year of events in 2017 and to ensuring we create a positive and lasting legacy for the people of Hull.”
Priorities for the new chair will include recruitment of other senior posts in the new culture company. The roles of chief executive and programme director will be next to be filled.
Recruitment to the culture company’s main Partnership Board also gets under way this week, along with a Programme Board to advise on the artistic programme for 2017.
Peter Aarosin, chair of the Bondholders marketing organisation which promotes Hull and the Humber, has also welcomed the appointment.
He said: “Rosie Millard’s appointment is a superb coup for Hull. She has great credibility and excellent connections in the worlds of media, culture and the arts as well as the national profile that this key position demands.
“As a former University of Hull student and passionate advocate of the city she will also bring to the role a deep understanding of Hull and the vitally important part culture is playing in its exciting regeneration.
“Rosie Millard’s appointment is the first step in the process of assembling an exceptional team to deliver an outstanding City of Culture programme that will make Hull the centre of national and international attention in 2017.”
