The Arts Development Company, which is based in Dorchester, has appointed a new chief executive.

Sarah James will be replacing longstanding Dorset arts champion Mike Hoskin, who will continue to work with the company, although, in a part-time role.

Sarah said: “This is a fantastic time to join The Arts Development Company. Mike has done a heroic job guiding the team through its set-up. Now is the time for us to refresh our approach, ensuring the continued success and sustainability of the organisation and making a real difference to people’s lives in Dorset and beyond.”

The Arts Development Company is a pioneering social enterprise and is the only one of its kind in the UK. The team believe in the power of arts and culture to make lives better. Formed in 2015 from Dorset County Council’s in-house arts team, they now employ 15 people and manage a turnover of £750,00 a year.

Sarah joins the team from the Architecture Centre in Bristol, where she was director. She’s no stranger to the Arts Development Company – and in 2016 she completed a six-week contract to set up Culture+, our three-year £950,000 project to support the growth of artists and creative industries in Dorset.

Sarah has wide experience of the arts and heritage sectors. She was deputy director of the Situations Trust in Bristol, general manager for learning and participation at The Royal Opera House, executive director of Seachange Arts, learning and skills officer at Arts Council East and an outreach officer for English Heritage. She has a masters degree in gallery studies from the University of Essex.