The CEO of the Edinburgh Fringe Society, Shona McCarthy, has announced she is standing down after nearly ten years in the role. McCarthy joined the organisation in 2015 and will formally leave in spring next year.

Paying tribute to the exited CEO, the society’s Honorary President, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, says, “You could not imagine a more passionate, determined, ambitious, hilarious, fiercely optimistic leader of the Fringe”.

“After years working to build and expand the Fringe in every way for everyone, facing unimaginable setbacks and challenges, Shona’s eyes never stopped shining with genuine excitement for every new show she told you about”.

The Fringe Society oversees the administration of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, supporting the thousands of performers, promoters and producers who present shows in Edinburgh each August, and the network of independently run Fringe venues that host those shows.

Among other things, the society collates a central programme, runs a central box office and press office, and represents the Fringe community within Edinburgh, and to the Scottish and UK government.

Given the size and diversity of the Fringe community, and the amount of risk involved in performing and producing at the Fringe, both the society and the festival it supports come under regular criticism, which is something the Fringe Society’s CEO has to tackle.

Although for McCarthy, the biggest challenge during her stint in the job was the COVID pandemic which shut down the festival in 2020 and forced a streamlined edition in 2021.

McCarthy says it’s been “an enormous privilege to serve the Edinburgh Fringe”, before adding, “In my remaining time with the Fringe Society I will be relentless in continued work with all to ensure our charity is in its best shape to continue to support this globally exceptional festival and performing arts expo”.

As part of that, she says, “I will work closely with the city, Scottish government and UK government to encourage more supportive conditions for this national and international cultural asset that is delivered every year in Scotland’s beautiful capital and is part of the fabric of Edinburgh”.