The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society has appointed Tony Lankester as its next chief executive.

Lankester will join the charity, which runs the annual performing arts festival of the same name, from the theatre Riverside Studios, where he was chief executive for five years.

Before joining Riverside Studios, Lankester spent 12 years as chief executive of the charity the National Arts Festival South Africa, which runs a festival celebrating the arts in Africa.

Lankester was also chief executive of the Sharjah Fringe Festival in the United Arab Emirates for two years.

He replaces Shona McCarthy, who announced in October that she would step down in the spring after nine years in the role. The charity said McCarthy did not know what she might do next. 

Lankester said: “Edinburgh Festival Fringe occupies a rare and special place in the hearts and minds of artists the world over and it has played a formative role in so many stellar careers and millions of life-changing moments for audiences.

“Staying true to that legacy, while being asked to help shape and guide its future, is a privilege.

“The arts environment is hugely challenging at the moment and the world is a difficult and noisy place. 

“Now, more than ever, there is a need for what the Fringe is and for what it can be – for artists, audiences, producers, venues and the people of Edinburgh.”

Lankester described McCarthy as an “inspirational, principled and passionate leader” and an advocate for the charity during some of its toughest years.

“She hands it over in great shape, and I hope to do her hard work justice,” Lankester said.

Lankester will take up his new role in early April.