June 10 - Veronica Wadley (pictured), the former editor of the Evening Standard, has been appointed as the new London chair at Arts Council England and been tasked with the job of making sure the capital benefits from the cultural opportunities presented by the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.



The announcement, made by London Mayor Boris Johnson, has been approved by the Secretary of State for Culture, Media, Olympics and Sport, Jeremy Hunt.

Johnson said: "Veronica Wadley is a hugely accomplished woman who has a proven passion for London and its unrivalled arts and culture.

"She will bring energy, drive and ambition to this vital sector that does so much for our quality of life in London and the capital's reputation around the world."

Wadley initially applied for the job two years ago but was denied when former Culture Secretary Ben Bradshaw refused to rubber-stamp her selection due to allegations the appointment process had not complied with Nolan rules on transparency.

On that occasion, questions were raised about whether Wadley was being given preferential treatment after using her former newspaper to back Johnson's successful Mayoral campaign against Ken Livingstone.

But the appointment of Wadley, 58, who is married to investigative journalist Tom Bower, has also previously worked for the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail, has been welcomed warmly on this occasion.

Dame Liz Forgan, the chair of Arts Council England said: "Veronica's appointment means that our London and National Councils are finally at full strength, which is excellent news. We can now get on with the important job of supporting and developing the arts in London and the rest of the country.

"I am confident that Veronica's skills and commitment will help us address the many challenges and opportunities ahead as we move towards a tough Spending Review, the need to develop the resilience of our arts organisations in the capital and nationally, and the huge opportunities of the Olympic year."

Wadley said: "I am delighted to accept this role.

"We are living in a golden age of the arts, thanks to the huge investment by successive Governments.

"We want to build on this, even in the face of financial pressures.

"In the past 12 months I have visited a great many arts organisations, travelling the length and breadth of London and I am encouraged by the ingenuity and hard work that I have seen, both in the larger companies and at the grassroots.

"My task will be to ensure that we can support their excellence and innovation.

"I will do all I can to champion the arts in London, encouraging work of the highest quality at every level.

"I will work with ambition and caution."