RICHARD Findlay, the head of one of Scotland's biggest media companies, is to chair the National Theatre of Scotland, it was announced yesterday.
The selection of Mr Findlay - chief executive of Scottish Radio Holdings, successful businessman, arts aficionado and former actor - was unveiled last night as the first key appointment in Scotland's embryonic new national arts company.
Mr Findlay said he wanted the new theatre, which is to have its administrative base in Easterhouse, Glasgow, to have ''broad appeal'' across all sectors of society.
He also indicated that the theatre's first artistic director would have to be intimate with ''Scotland and Scottish life, and what we are trying to do as a nation''.
His appointment, made by an independent panel set up by the Scottish Arts Council, was announced by Frank McAveety, the minister for
culture.
James Boyle, the chairman of the SAC, said that Mr Findlay, who graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in 1963, was an ideal first chairman with considerable business acumen and also a genuine love for the arts.
After three years pursuing an acting career after his graduation, Mr Findlay moved into broadcasting. Scottish Radio Holdings, formed in 1991 and whose assets include Radio Clyde and WestSound, has experienced much growth under his leadership.
He is also currently governor of the RSAMD and for six years was chairman of the Royal Lyceum theatre in Edinburgh.
Mr Findlay's next action will be to try to put together a small but ''balanced and experienced'' board for the theatre and appoint an artistic director next year.
He said: ''We are looking for people with real commitment and for people with a broad range of experience, representing the geography of Scotland. The theatre has to be part of the Scottish identity, it has to make a major contribution to theatre in Scotland and underpin the existing theatre structures we have.
''The productions have to appeal to a broad range of the Scottish public - we have to encourage everyone to come and see them. They will be large, medium and small, and play in the big theatres and also in church halls and classrooms.
''For the artistic director, we will look for someone with a knowledge of Scottish life - what Scotland is trying to do as a nation.
''We will not be an elitist company but something that can appeal to all: we are looking for a saint basically.''
Mr Findlay received his final interview on Monday, with two other candidates, and his post was confirmed yesterday. He had been interested in the position since the current plan for the NTS, with a (pounds) 7.5m budget, was first mooted last year.
The budget, he said, was a ''good one'', and if they could not work within in it ''we have no-one to blame''.
Mr Findlay said: ''I am thrilled to be offered this position. I couldn't have dreamt when I was an 18-year-old drama student in Glasgow that I would be ending up chairing the National Theatre for
Scotland.
''It's a great honour, I fully intend to play an active part and we have a lot of work to do, but I am convinced we are to create something very special for Scotland.''
Mr Boyle added: ''It's a terrific thing that an eminent Scottish businessmen who has a lifelong commitment to the arts and has trod the boards is to be the first chairman.''
Scottish Radio Holdings is currently facing questions from a prominent private shareholder over the ''accountability'' of a subsidiary run by the son of Mr Findlay. Adam Findlay was appointed the managing director of Aberdeen-based Northsound in 2001.
Charles Villiers, who founded the Score group of regional newspapers and sold his stake to new owner SRH five years ago for (pounds) 11m, has written to SRH's chairman, Lord Gordon of Strathblane, and to the National Association of Pension Funds on the issue.
Mr McAveety said: ''Richard Findlay is highly motivated and his records of achievement and public service are impressive.
''He has a clear grasp of the task before him and he will ensure flair and vision in the appointment of the creative director, and excitement and glamour in the productions themselves.''
A life of many parts
Born in 1943, attended the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (RSAMD), graduating in 1963.
After three-year career as an actor, moved into radio and founded an English Language radio service in Saudi Arabia.
Currently group chief executive of Scottish Radio Holdings plc, which operates 23 radio services in UK, along with 40 local newspapers.
Previously chairman of Lothian Health Board and the Royal Lyceum theatre, for six years.
Former rector of Heriot-Watt University, and on the board of the Edinburgh Royal Observatory Trust, McGrigor Donald, the Fruitmarket Gallery and currently governor of the RSAMD in Glasgow.
Married with two sons and a daughter, his recreations include music, golf and
boating.
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