Breaking: New chief at Barbican (yes, another one)

The Corporation of the City of London has named a new chief executive for the Babrican Centre after a yearlong search.

The incoming CEO is Abigail Pogson, presently head of the Glasshouse in Gateshead and a board member of Arts Council England. Pogson, 50, will take over at the Barbican in January.

Her Australian predecessor departed within two years, complaining of a culture of bullying.

Before that, the doors just kept swinging for a decade.

Pogson, Yorkshire born, has the advantage of being a London outsider, although she had an early stint at the head of Spitalfields Music. She will also benefit from a £191 million City investment to improve the facility, after aborted attempts to build another concert hall nearby.

She says: ‘The Barbican is one of the world’s most iconic cultural destinations, and I’m beyond delighted to be joining at such a critical and exciting time in its history. I believe deeply in the power of art and creativity to enrich lives and communities, and I look forward to working with the talented team at the Barbican and its many fabulous partners to bring exceptional, relevant, and joyful cultural experiences to as many people as possible.’

The Barbican has been in decline since the end of the last decade. It can barely afford visiting orchestras and the internal vibe is simply depressive, with poor food options, scandalous toilets and general demoralisation.

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