MIRIAM Randall is the new chief executive and artistic director of the Brewery.

Mrs Randall takes over from Richard Foster, who has stepped down to lead the Kendal arts centre's innovative Our Digital Futures project.

Mrs Randall is an arts executive with 20 years’ experience of developing vibrant, cross art form venues for award-winning art, film and digital culture. Before joining the Brewery, she was executive director at Watershed, Bristol’s centre for cultural cinema and digital creativity and home of Pervasive Media Studio and BFI Film Hub South West.

Prior to that, she was executive director of Lighthouse, an international arts agency connecting new developments in art, technology and society through festivals, commissions, talent development and education. Lighthouse is home to Guiding Lights, the UK’s leading film mentoring programme, is a co-founder of Brighton Digital Festival, and has worked with groundbreaking artists such as David Blandy, Holly Herndon, James Bridle, Blast Theory and Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard.

Mrs Randall said that the Brewery Arts Centre was a vital creative hub with a strong legacy and a bright future. She added: "I'm honoured to be joining and look forward to working with the team and board to expand and develop its role as one of the UK's most vibrant cultural destinations."

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Before her move into arts management, Miriam was a successful musician and events producer, delivering projects for Island Records, Rough Trade and Skint Records, while also working with independent artists as a co-writer and player on performances, tours and recording dates across the UK.

Claire Welburn, chairman of the Brewery's board of trustees, said they were delighted that Miriam Randall will be leading the Brewery. "Miriam brings to us significant experience from across the arts as well as progressive digital knowledge. We are excited that she will lead the Brewery, ensuring it continues to play an important part in the lives of local people; whether this be through our cinema, enjoying the performance, visual arts and festival programme, engaging with our learning programme, or simply socialising in our building.”

Another change at the Brewery top is Mike Jones, formerly its executive director and head of performing arts. He has now left the Brewery to become managing director of The Stand comedy venues in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.