Lord Falconer announced as new chairman of The Sage Gateshead
The film producer Lord Puttnam has stepped down as Chairman of The Sage Gateshead, after five years.
The former Lord Chancellor and Labour minister Lord Falconer is taking over the role.
Lord Falconer currently leads the NewcastleGateshead Business Growth Commission, set up to attract investment to the area.
He had previously chaired the Tyneside regeneration group 1NG, which was scrapped last year.
Lord Puttnam will continue his involvement with The Sage Gateshead as Patron of its 10th Birthday Endowment Campaign.
He will be working to raise £4m from private donations, in order to win a further £2m from the Arts Council England.
The new £6m endowment would be used to build on the current artistic programme, to develop relations and collaborate more with international arts organisations.