Lesley Jackson to join Jazz North as Executive Director.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Jazz North have announced the appointment of Lesley Jackson to the new position of Executive Director. She will commence her duties in September 2015. Press release attached.
PRESS RELEASE
For immediate release: Friday 19 June 2015
Lesley Jackson to join Jazz North as Executive Director in September 2015
Jazz North is pleased to announce the appointment of Lesley Jackson as Executive Director from September 2015. This is a new position for Jazz North, the Northern jazz development agency established in 2012, as it changes from being a project funded organisation to become an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation (NPO).
As Executive Director, Lesley will provide strategic leadership and ensure delivery of Jazz North’s 5 year Business Plan. The Executive Director will take overall responsibility for the successful delivery of Jazz North’s fundraising, business development, finances, communications, HR, organisational management and legal compliance.
Lesley will be joining Jazz North from her current position as Executive Director of Phoenix Dance Theatre in Leeds where she played a key role in establishing the organisation as one of the leading contemporary dance companies in the UK today and overseeing its part in the capital development of the new home it shares with Northern Ballet.
Lesley says ?It has been a privilege to be a part of Phoenix Dance Theatre for the last six years. Dance and music are so closely related and I am delighted to be joining Jazz North at such a defining moment. I am looking forward to working with Nigel Slee, Steve Mead and the rest of the team to help Jazz North achieve its full potential.”
Jazz North’s mission is to increase the profile of contemporary jazz in the North by developing opportunities for artists and building audiences through collective partnership working. Its vision is that the North becomes recognised nationally and internationally as a place that enables jazz artists to reside, work and develop their practice in dialogue with interested, supportive and open-minded audiences.