THE Arts Council has appointed Kate Willard as chair of its North Area Council, which covers Yorkshire, following the departure of Joe Docherty.

Ms Willard is currently head of corporate projects at the Carlisle-based Stobart Group. With a background in culture and creativity, Kate has worked as an independent regeneration expert with the European Commission.

She said: “I am passionately committed to ensuring that our rich, varied, vibrant and unique cultural assets are given the right support to flourish.”