The board of trustees of Citymoves is delighted to announce the appointment of Carol Benzie as its new chief executive officer with immediate effect.
Carol, who has been Citymoves interim director since last October, was formerly the managing director of Aberdeen International Airport.
Citymoves is the regional dance agency for North-east Scotland and has been in operation for over 25 years. Originally part of Aberdeen City Council's Education and Children’s Services, it became an independent organisation with Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO) status in October 2016. Its primary funders are Aberdeen City Council and Creative Scotland.
Citymoves’ mission is to develop and support quality dance provision at every level and ability, locally and nationally, nurturing connections across cultures and borders. It operates out of dance studios in Belmont Street and the Anatomy Rooms at Marischal College, and runs the annual DanceLive Festival of Dance during October each year..
Commenting on the appointment, chair of the board of trustees, Annette Murray, said: "We are delighted with Carol’s appointment. She brings a wealth of experience to Citymoves from senior positions at Aberdeen International Airport, most recently as its managing director, as well as knowledge of the charitable sector from her time at Aberdeen based charity, Inspire. We are confident that Citymoves has an exciting future under Carol’s leadership."
Commenting on her new role, Carol, said: "I am thrilled to become a permanent part of the Citymoves team. Dance is a huge part of my family life and has become my passion. My son, Greig Matthews, is a professional ballet dancer and graduate from Royal Ballet who is now dancing in lead roles with Joffrey Ballet in Chicago.
"I firmly believe that it is important to encourage and develop local and national dance talent and that Citymoves can provide space and support for this. But dance has so much to offer, in all its many forms and styles, to people of all backgrounds and abilities. It makes a huge contribution to physical, mental and emotional wellbeing and can be a truly uplifting experience for all participants.
"I’m looking forward to working with my talented team to strengthen our organisation, raise awareness of what we do and make a difference through dance in the North-east and beyond."
For further information about Citymoves classes, dance projects or events, contact carol.benzie@citymoves.org.uk, or visit the website: www.citymoves.org.uk or the Citymoves Facebook page.