Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) has appointed Francesca Hegyi as executive director. She will join EIF in February 2019.
Hegyi recently oversaw Hull’s year as UK City of Culture, a huge critical and commercial success that included some 2,800 events throughout 2017. For her work as executive director she was awarded an OBE in the New Year’s Honours list.
Prior to that, Hegyi has held posts at the Science Museum in London, the Scottish Museums Council in Edinburgh and on the Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. She studied at Edinburgh University.
Said Hegyi: “I first experienced the International Festival as a student in Edinburgh nearly 30 years ago and have watched and admired its growth since then. As well as being the cultural highlight of the year, it plays a vital role in the life of the city, for residents as well as the many visitors it attracts.
Added festival director Fergus Linehan: “Fran has a strong connection with our city and has a reputation for delivering work of an international standard that creates lasting value in the communities in which it is performed.”
Hegyi replaces Joanna Baker, who has held the post for 12 years and overseen record attendance figures.
