Edinburgh Fringe director exits

Paul Gudgin has been Fringe director since 1999

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is to lose its director after its "most successful year".

Paul Gudgin has been director of the Fringe for the last eight years.

He is leaving to pursue other arts opportunities in the UK and abroad and will remain in the post until the launch of the 2007 programme on 7 June.

This is the latest departure from the city's festivals. Brian McMaster recently stood down from the top job at the International Festival.

Paul has contributed an extraordinary amount to the Fringe during his time in office Baroness Elizabeth Smith Chairwoman of the board of directors

It is anticipated that the post of director of the Fringe will be advertised in the next few weeks, with interviews taking place in the spring.

The successor will have a tough act to follow, with Fringe officials celebrating what they said had been the festival's best year to date.

Mr Gudgin said: "It's been a great privilege to run the world's largest arts festival for the past eight years and I'm pleased that as an organisation we've passed some impressive milestones and seen such exponential growth. But it's time for me to move on.

"While I'm leaving at a time of strength for the Fringe, there are still many challenges that my successor will face but fortunately they'll also be inheriting a wonderful job and the opportunity to work with a fantastic group of people, from the Fringe staff and board to the venue managers, performers and other festivals."

'Fantastic contribution'

Baroness Elizabeth Smith, chairwoman of the Fringe board of directors, said: "I'm personally very sad that Paul is leaving the Fringe but after eight years I recognise that he needs to explore other opportunities.

"Paul has contributed an extraordinary amount to the Fringe during his time in office.

The Fringe attracts performers from all over the world

"The growth in ticket sales, performing companies and new venues has been headline news for many years.

"It'll be a huge loss for me personally but I'm sure Paul will make a fantastic contribution to any organisation he works for. I wish him all the luck in the world."

Cllr Donald Anderson, Edinburgh Council's culture and tourism leader, said: "Paul has transformed the Festival Fringe and turned it into an event that sells more tickets than the Commonwealth Games and is the world's largest arts event.

"He is a giant on the arts scene. He will leave a huge gap in our festivals and will be a very tough act to follow."