The Festivals Forum, the high level commission set up to oversee the strategic development of Edinburgh’s Festivals to maintain the city’s position as the pre-eminent festival city, has announced the appointment of Susan Rice as Chair of the Forum.

The Forum which is made up of senior executive and political representatives from Festivals Edinburgh, the Scottish Government, the City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland, the Scottish Arts Council, Scottish Screen, Scottish Enterprise, VisitScotland and Edinburgh Tourism Action Group, was set up last year following a recommendation in the Thundering Hooves report.

Susan Rice, who is Chief Executive of Lloyds TSB Scotland and was the first woman to head a UK clearing bank when she took up the role in August 2000, joins the Forum at the end of April. As well as her work with Lloyds TSB she is a Director of Scottish and Southern Energy, Scotland’s Futures Forum and Scottish Business in the Community. She has chaired the Edinburgh International Book Festival since October 2001 and the Financial Services Strategy Group’s Steering Group previously.

Under Susan’s stewardship, Lloyds TSB Scotland has been a generous supporter of the arts, working in partnership with organisations such as BAFTA Scotland, the National Galleries of Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival.

The Forum has also announced the appointment of a further three independent members – former Controller of BBC Scotland and Chair of Edinburgh International Film Festival, John McCormick, Consultant at one of Scotland’s largest law firms Fyfe Ireland and Chair of the British Council Scotland, Dr Andrew Cubie and Chief Executive of the Communications Group, Michael Hayman. These members have been appointed to provide an external perspective on Edinburgh and Scotland’s economic and cultural standing internationally.

Commenting on her appointment as Chair of the Festivals Forum Susan Rice said: ‘Edinburgh is a wonderful and unique city. One of the main elements that contribute to its ongoing success and growth are the festivals that it plays host to and their ever-increasing prestige on the global stage. Maintaining the high calibre of the combined festivals is vital and, as a passionate supporter of the various festivals, I am honoured and delighted to have been asked to chair the Edinburgh Festival’s Forum.’

Minster for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani said: ‘Susan Rice will bring her unique skills and perspectives to this essential group and I am confident that she will provide strong leadership to the Festivals Forum. I look forward to working with Susan and the other members of the Forum to maintain and develop Edinburgh’s position as the world’s leading Festival City.’

Commenting on Susan’s appointment Faith Liddell, Director of Festivals Edinburgh said: ‘Festivals Edinburgh is delighted that Susan Rice has agreed to take on the role of Chair of the Festivals Forum. Her considerable experience of the corporate and cultural world, her commitment to Edinburgh’s Festivals and her real understanding of the importance of effective collaboration make her the perfect candidate to lead this prestigious and important forum and to work with Edinburgh’s renowned festivals and all of their stakeholders to ensure Edinburgh’s continued pre-eminence as the world’s leading Festival City.’