Darren Henley, CEO of Arts Council England (ACE), has defended the organization against claims of being “London-centric,” arguing that regional arts leaders lack media representation compared to their London counterparts. His remarks followed criticisms from prominent London arts figures, particularly after Wigmore Hall announced it would decline public subsidies, citing ACE’s perceived misdirection. In response to calls for ACE to adopt a more competitive funding model akin to UK Sport, Henley emphasized the importance of supporting both elite and grassroots arts across the country.
