Philippine Nguyen Named Creative Folkestone Chief Executive

Creative Folkestone has appointed Philippine Nguyen as its new Chief Executive, effective September. Nguyen, currently Head of Cultural Programming at the London Borough of Waltham Forest since 2023, succeeds Alastair Upton MBE, who departs after 14 years. The appointment comes as the organization prepares for its 25th anniversary and the 20th Folkestone Triennial in 2028. Nguyen previously co-founded Art Night, raising over £3.5 million across six editions. Creative Folkestone Chair Sir Roger De Haan praised her as a worthy successor. The charity oversees the Creative Quarter, Folkestone Book Festival, Quarterhouse, Prospect Cottage, and the Triennial, which has commissioned artists like Cornelia Parker and Jeremy Deller.