Shona McCarthy has been appointed Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society for 2016 following the departure of Kath Mainland who stepped down after seven years in the role in November.

'I am thrilled to be appointed Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, an organisation I have long admired,' explains McCarthy. 'I have spent 25 years working in the cultural sector and have seen up close and personal the transformative power that art can have on people, on cities and on wellbeing. I passionately believe in personal and collective creativity as a force for good in a turbulent world.'

McCarthy has an impressive background in large scale arts events, particularly in Northern Ireland including her most recent post as Chief Executive of the Culture Company which took the lead in making Derry-Londonderry the inaugural UK City of Culture in 2013. Her CV also includes Chief Executive at Imagine Belfast (Belfast's festival of ideas and politics); Chief Executive of Cinemagic, the international film festival for young people and Director of the Foyle Film Festival.

'I have visited Edinburgh and the Fringe on many occasions and there is no better outlet for creative expression than the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the greatest open access arts festival in the world,' says McCarthy, 'and I can’t wait to work with and support all those who make up such a wonderful festival.'

Sir Timothy O’Shea, Chair of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, adds: 'The Fringe Society’s role is to support and nurture the Fringe – the world’s largest and best arts festival – a festival which has seen continual growth for a number of years. In response to that, and under Kath Mainland’s leadership, the Fringe Society has expanded its services for both participants and audiences. As the Fringe approaches its 70th anniversary year, I have no doubt Shona will provide the vision and leadership to continue and further develop the work the Society does, supporting the Fringe’s reputation as a world leading arts festival.'

2016's Edinburgh Festival Fringe will run from 5–29 Aug.