Wales Millennium Centre has appointed Jonathan Harper as its new director of marketing and communications.

Harper, originally from Manchester, has been marketing director at The Lowry in Salford Quays for the past five years.

The Lowry, like the Welsh Millennium Centre, is seen as one of the most successful Millennium projects, attracting 800,000 visitors per year, and Wales Millennium Centre chief executive Mark Taylor said of Harper’s experience: “Having worked in a flagship Millennium project in a similar recently regenerated environment, Jonathan knows only too well the opportunities as well as the challenges that exist to attract new audiences, increase footfall and tourist visitation.”

Harper added: “I look forward to playing my part in attracting local, national and international audiences to the venue and ensuring that the Centre is positioned as a major beacon for culture in Wales.”

His new role will commence on 27 June.