Manchester International Festival, which will take place for the first time in June 2007, has appointed Ruth Mackenzie as general director.

Mackenzie has previously consulted for the Arts Council and the BBC and was the artistic director for the Chichester Arts Festival. She was awarded an OBE for services to theatre in 1995.

Mackenzie said: "I'm thrilled to be taking up this role in such a brilliant festival and am looking forward to developing partnerships which will enable the festival to reach markets and opinion formers around the world."

The festival is to be the “world's first international festival of original, new work – created by leading artists from across the spectrum of credible popular culture, innovation and the arts”, according to the festival website.

Funding for the biennial event will come from Manchester City Council, Arts Council England, the Millennium Commission and the Northwest Development Agency as well as other private sector sponsors. Details: www.manchesterinternationalfestival.com