Norfolk & Norwich Festival has today announced the name of its new festival director.

Norwich Evening News: Daniel Brine is to be the new director of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. Photo: Claire HaighDaniel Brine is to be the new director of the Norfolk and Norwich Festival. Photo: Claire Haigh (Image: Claire Haigh)

Daniel Brine, who is currently artistic director and chief executive officer of the Cambridge Junction arts centre, is set to take the helm of the festival which runs a 17-day arts extravaganza across Norwich and Norfolk each May.

He will join the team as festival director in January, taking over from previous artistic director William Galinsky who left in May following a seven-year tenure.

Mr Brine, who has previously held numerous arts roles both in the UK and Australia, said: 'It's a huge honour to be appointed Norfolk & Norwich Festival's next festival director.

'I'm looking forward to leading the team to create a festival which the people of Norfolk and Norwich are proud of and enjoy. I live in the east of England and am committed to bringing great arts to the region. It's a great privilege to lead a regional flagship event of international standing and I'm keen to work with local arts and cultural partners to continue the festival's success.'

Mr Brine currently runs the multidisciplinary arts programme at Cambridge Junction, a venue with a focus on cutting edge performance, popular culture and creative learning. Prior to this he was artistic director and chief executive officer at Performance Space, Australia's leading organisation for the development of interdisciplinary works. He has also worked as associate director at Live Art Development Agency, the leading development organisation for live art in the UK, and been co-director of NOW Festival in Nottingham.

He started his career at the Australia Council, the Australian government's arts advisory and funding body, and has also worked for Arts Council England.

Brenda Arthur, chairman of the Norfolk & Norwich Festival Board, said: 'I am delighted that Daniel has accepted our invitation to become festival director and drive forward our artistic vision for Norwich, Norfolk and the rest of the UK.

His track record in programming and producing entertaining work as well as understanding his audiences positions him perfectly to continue our commitment to nurturing the best of local and national talent as well as bringing in the best new international work.

The 2018 festival will run from May 11 to 27 with the programme still to be announced. For more about the festival, visit www.nnfestival.org.uk