Barbican Centre appoints first CEO

CLAIRE SPENCER has been named the Barbican Centre’s first Chief Executive Officer.

Currently based in Australia, Spencer has been Arts Centre Melbourne's CEO since 2014 and has previously worked with the Sydney Opera House.

Spencer's appointment will complete a company restructure following the retirement of Managing Director NICHOLAS KENYON in September.

She takes up post at the Barbican in May, where she will oversee targets for audiences, education and workforce, as well as lead on equity, diversity and inclusion efforts across the centre’s operations.

Last year the arts venue said it would mandate anti-racism training for all staff and introduce diversity targets in a bid to address accusations of institutional racism.

Spencer says she looks forward to taking the organisation into its next phase of creative contributions to London.

"The prospect of returning to London to take up this leadership opportunity at this pivotal moment in the Barbican’s history is both a huge honour and a great privilege."