Manchester’s urban culture museum, Urbis, has announced the appointment of a new chief executive, Vaughan Allen.

As part of his remit, Allen will concentrate on making the Urbis concept -– which explores urban culture and the cities of today and tomorrow – relevant to both a local and international audience.

He said: “Urbis has a bright future, with an important role to play in the future of Manchester and the region.

“Using our understanding of the issues that make the city such a vibrant, exciting and sometimes challenging place to be, we’ll be able to develop stronger links with the local community and marginalised sections of society.”

Allen joins from the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, where he was a member of the senior management team responsible for achieving record visitor figures and revenues.

Urbis is part of Manchester’s £42m Millennium Quarter. Allen’s appointment is the result of a change of structure at Urbis, the management of which has passed from the Hallogen Group to the Millennium Quarter Trust. Details: www.urbis.org.uk