ANNABELL Lebethe is the Market Theatre's new chief executive.

Lebethe, pictured, who is said to have beaten a number of arts personalities to this prestigious job, is leaving the National Arts Council, where she was chief executive for two years.

Before that she was director for cultural industries in the Gauteng provincial government.

The Market Theatre confirmed that its board had appointed Lebethe after being without a chief executive for almost a year .

Arts writer Brooks Spector became the Market Theatre's interim chief executive after Sibongiseni Mkhize left to become chief executive of the Robben Island Museum last year.

"We are so grateful that Annabell Lebethe has joined the Market Theatre as our chief executive. We are looking forward to working with her," Christine McDonald, chief financial officer of the Market, said.

"She is young, energetic and she has been in the arts sector for some time, notably as chief executive of the National Arts Council," McDonald said.

An excited Lebethe told Sowetan yesterday that she was thrilled and humbled by the appointment.

"I grew up watching plays at the Market Theatre. I am ready to take on this role and I will work with the board and the team at the Market Theatre to preserve the legacy of this institution," she told Sowetan.

Lebethe will start her new job on August 8.