Mark Ball was been appointed the new Artistic Director of the Southbank Centre in August 2021. Previously, Creative Director at Manchester International Festival (MIF), Mark joined the multi-arts centre in January 2022 and has overall responsibility for the artistic direction of the largest cultural centre in the UK, leading the organisation as it enters a new era. Mark reports to Elaine Bedell, CEO.

The Artistic Director is responsible for setting and delivering an overall artistic strategy and has a mandate to drive a broader UK-wide reach and expand the organisation’s digital offer. Mark is responsible for the delivery of the entire artistic programme, working with the Southbank Centre’s talented artistic team and extensive creative network to produce a dynamic and world class programme at the heart of London.

In his former role as Creative Director at Manchester International Festival (MIF), Mark was responsible for leading the artistic programme for The Factory, the new cultural space currently being built in Manchester. He was previously Artistic Director and Chief Executive of the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT), Head of Events and Exhibitions at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Artistic Director of Fierce! Mark is Chair of Belarus Free Theatre and an Advisory Board