Shake-up after box office fiasco

Mainland, who has spent the last four years as administrative director of the city's book festival, beat more than 100 applicants for the new position.

She began her career at the Fringe as an administrative assistant in 1991, before moving on to work on many of Scotland's biggest events, including the MTV European Music Awards and the Champions League Final.

She said: ‘I'm absolutely thrilled, delighted and honoured to be joining the Fringe as chief executive officer, heading up the team responsible for running the world's greatest arts festival. I started my career at the Fringe 17 years ago and have always been a passionate supporter of the festival.

‘The Fringe is a hugely important platform for performers from all over the world, a major driver for tourism and economic development and an unrivalled cultural opportunity for the people of Edinburgh.’

Baroness Elizabeth Smith, who chairs the Fringe board of directors, said: ‘Kath's wide range of festivals and events experience in addition to her knowledge of the importance of the Fringe to Edinburgh and the wider Scottish economy sees her ideally placed to take the festival to the next level.’

Fringe director Jon Morgan resigned at the end of last year's festival after an expensive new box office system failed, leaving festival-goers without tickets as the Fringe started. An independent report into the problems was highly critical of the Fringe management.

Published: 20 Feb 2009