Francesca Hegyi OBE is Chief Executive of the Edinburgh International Festival.
She has worked in culture, the arts and major events for more than 25 years.
Francesca began her career in the museums sector before becoming Head of Regions and International at the Museums, Libraries and Archives Council.
In 2005, she joined the London Organising Committee for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Here she was responsible for the framework for the UK-wide cultural programme, leading fundraising and commercial partnerships for the Cultural Olympiad and London 2012 Festival - a £126 million programme which worked with more than 40,000 artists.
As Executive Director of Hull 2017 UK City of Culture, Francesca oversaw a programme of events which reached over 95% of Hull residents, created over 800 jobs and added more than £300 million to the local economy. She was awarded an OBE in the 2018 New Year Honours list for this work.
Having previously studied and worked in Edinburgh, Francesca returned to the city to join the Edinburgh International Festival in February 2019.
Since March 2021, she has served as Deputy Chair of the Creative Industries Council.
