The International Festival appoints Keith Skeoch as Chair of the International Festival Board, succeeding Professor Niall Lothian OBE in June 2021.

We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Keith Skeoch as Chair of the International Festival Board, commencing in June 2021. A former Chief Executive of Standard Life Investments and one of our current Trustees, Keith’s appointment was unanimously approved by the Board.

Keith succeeds Professor Niall Lothian OBE, who has made an enormous contribution to the Festival since he joined the Board in 2011 and in his post as Chair since 2017.

Keith is a highly respected industry leader with deep expertise in the financial sector, public policy, regulatory affairs and purpose-led organisational change. He dedicates his time and expertise to numerous organisations, most recently as the Chair of the Aberdeen Standard Investments Research Institute, Chair of the ring-fencing and proprietary trading independent review panel, Interim Chair of the Financial Reporting Council, Chair of the Investment Association and a member of the UK Takeover Panel. He is also a Trustee of the Standard Life Foundation.

As a committed supporter of the arts, Keith has a deep understanding of the transformative role they play across society and individual lives. As our Executive Director Francesca Hegyi says: “Keith truly loves the work the Festival does and appreciates its role in the life of our city.He is a creative and progressive leader who will make a huge contribution to the Festival in the coming years.”

Throughout his career, Keith has been deeply invested in diversity and inclusion, mentoring female and minority ethnic executive leaders to support their development across different sectors. In his current role as a Trustee of the International Festival, Keith is an active member of our Diversity & Inclusion Board Working Group. 

Keith says: “I’m delighted to be appointed as Chair of the Edinburgh International Festival. It is an honour to lead such a capable Board and a talented organisation through a period of significant change as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. I have been connected to the Festival both personally and professionally for many years. The next few years will offer a much-needed opportunity for us to strengthen the role that the Festival plays both within the international and local arts community as we recover from the pandemic.”