Ex-diplomat is new Wales Millennium Centre chairman

Sir Emyr Jones Parry will take over as chairman in 2011

A new chairman has been appointed at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Sir Emyr Jones Parry will take over the post in January 2011 when Lord Rowe-Beddoe steps down.

Sir Emyr has previously held a number of high-profile jobs including chairman of the All Wales Convention discussing legislative powers for the assembly.

Before retiring, Sir Emyr was a diplomat working with Nato in Brussels, and the United Nations in New York, where he chaired the Security Council.

He also chaired EU meetings during five UK presidencies.

Since his retirement Sir Emyr has been appointed president of the University of Aberystwyth and is also chair of the Open University's International Advisory Board.

'Atypical Welshman'

Sir Emyr was born in Carmarthenshire and was educated at Ysgol Ramadeg y Gwendraeth, Cardiff University and St Catharine's College, Cambridge.

He describes himself as an "atypical Welshman" because he does not sing and cannot play a musical instrument.

"That makes me appreciate the arts all the more, and I enjoy a range of art forms, not just music," he said.

"Wales Millennium Centre (WMC) is one of the millennium's great successes and an enduring monument which promotes the best of Wales on an international stage."

Sir Emyr added he was "very much looking forward" to leading and guiding the board and the executive in the implementation of the centre's five year strategic plan.

"It will consolidate further its local, national and international reputation," he added.

Lord Rowe-Beddoe said he was delighted to be able to appoint someone of Sir Emyr's calibre.

"Since returning to Wales he has already made a huge contribution to public life," he said.

"I am confident that Sir Emyr will steer WMC through the next phase in its evolution with immense skill," he added.

"He will assure its future as an international arts centre of which all the people of Wales can be justly proud."

Heritage Minister Alun Ffred Jones paid tribute to Lord Rowe-Beddoe, saying he had played a "very important" role in steering the WMC through its early years.

In April it was announced that Mark Taylor, a director of The Barbican in London, is to take over as the chief executive of the WMC.

The 47-year-old is due to start the job by the end of August, taking over from Judith Isherwood, who stepped down to take up a post in Australia.