SAGE Gateshead has announced that Abigail Pogson will be the new managing director of the North-East’s premier music venue.

Lord Falconer made the announcement at the venue’s annual general meeting tonight (Monday, December 15) – in the week that it celebrates its 10th birthday.

He said: “I believe we have found someone who blends great musical and artistic integrity with an understanding of the founding principles of Sage Gateshead.

“As we celebrate the end of our first decade, and pay huge tribute to all the work that Anthony Sargent has done in leading the organisation, we equally look forward to the renewed vision that Abigail will bring for the second decade.”

Ms Pogson, who will take up the post in May 2015 after a phased handover with Mr Sargent, grew up in West Yorkshire and is currently chief executive of Spitalfields Music, which runs the renowned Summer and Winter Festivals and a year-round Learning and Participation Programme in London.

Ms Pogson said: “It is an honour to be asked to join Sage Gateshead as managing director as it enters its second decade.

“The mix of an iconic building, a brilliant chamber orchestra, a world leading traditional music programme and an education programme which international colleagues constantly look to for inspiration is absolutely unique.

“It is also an honour to pick up from such a brilliant leadership team which Sage Gateshead has had for its first decade and to join such a dedicated staff and board.”

Mr Sargent, who has run the venue for 15 years and saw the iconic building constructed, opened and operated for its first decade, announced in April that he would be standing down.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted my board have chosen Abigail Pogson as my successor, taking Sage Gateshead into its second decade building on the foundations of the first.

“Knowing and greatly admiring Abgail’s work – her high cultural values, her piercing intelligence and her motivational leadership style – I am very confident that under Abigail Sage Gateshead’s second decade will be full of exciting new programming developments and discoveries.

“I know my own team here and the wider community of the region will take Abigail to their hearts, and will give her all the warm support which I have so valued over the past 15 years.”