DaDa welcomes new CEO

ZOE PARTINGTON has been named CEO of DaDa.

The Liverpool-based disability arts charity said that the appointment was “a final step in solidifying the stability and future of the organisation” since joining Arts Council England’s National Portfolio in 2022 and expanding its programming and board.

Partington is an international consultant and speaker on disability art, heritage and architecture concerning inclusion and accessibility. She is co-founder of DisOrdinary Architecture, working with cultural institutions such as the British Library and Tate Modern.

She is also an artist and is currently writing a book about female disabled sculptors and artists.

“As a disabled woman in a leadership role I feel honoured to follow other strong political disabled women form the North,” said Partington.

“I believe as disabled people, we should not let fear hold us back from striking out and being at the centre of decision-making in the cultural sector – our voices are often ignored; we will change this together in partnerships and with allies. I am so fortunate to have an amazing team and board.”

DaDa Chair ROBERT MARTIN spoke about the new appointment, saying: “With her brilliant track record as an artist, activist and consultant on creativity and inclusive culture, Zoe Partington brings a rare combination of skills which, we feel, will carry DaDa forward into our next phase as a leader in, and instigator of, those very conversations.

“Zoe is a hugely respected and talented person, and on behalf of everyone at DaDa and also our funders, we’re very much looking forward to seeing where she’ll take us next.”