Fringe appoints Riverside’s Lankester
Riverside Studios’ CEO Tony Lankester next head of EdFringe
Tony Lankester has been named to take over from Shona McCarthy as Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, the charity which oversees the running of the Edinburgh Fringe.
McCarthy announced in October 2024 that she would be stepping down from the role in March, after nine years in position. Lankester will take up the post in “early April 2025”.
Tony Lankester. Pic: EdFringe.
Lankester joins the Fringe from London’s Riverside Studios where he is currently Executive Director. He joined Riverside as General Manager in October 2019, under William Burdett-Coutts (also CEO of Assembly Festival), taking over from Burdett-Coutts the following June.
Prior to that, Lankester was CEO of the National Arts Festival South Africa in Makhanda (formerly Grahamstown) for 12 years. During that time he initiated and oversaw the launch of several new festivals – including the Cape Town Fringe and the Creativate Digital Arts Festival. He was the founding Chair of the World Fringe Alliance.
He is an alumni of Rhodes University’s Journalism School in Makhanda, graduating in 1995 and initially working for national South African radio station SAfm in a range of roles for seven years. After a brief stint in corporate communications for insurance giant, Old Mutual, he became their Sponsorship Manager.
a rare and special place
In a statement issued on his announcement, Lankester said: “Edinburgh Festival Fringe occupies a rare and special place in the hearts and minds of artists the world over and it has played a formative role in so many stellar careers and millions of life-changing moments for audiences. Staying true to that legacy, while being asked to help shape and guide its future, is a privilege.
“The arts environment is hugely challenging at the moment and the world a difficult and noisy place. Now, more than ever, there is a need for what the Fringe is and for what it can be – for artists, audiences, producers, venues, and the people of Edinburgh.
“Shona has been an inspirational, principled and passionate leader and advocate for the Fringe during some of the toughest years in its history, navigating some extraordinary challenges with diplomacy, empathy, focus and determination. She hands it over in great shape, and I hope to do her hard work justice.”
Benny Higgins, chair of the EdFringe board said of Lankester that he: “brings a wealth of experience from his previous roles, and his insights from both a cultural and commercial background will ensure the Fringe Society can meet the needs of the wider Fringe community.
“As the Fringe builds towards its 80th anniversary year, Tony’s leadership will be key in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the Fringe Society and Edinburgh Festival Fringe.”
ENDS
