A trio of new Trustees – Chartered Accountant Philip Bunt, international business leader Mark Crosbie and the BBC’s Director of Entertainment Ed Havard – have joined Hay Festival Global’s Board.
Hay Festival is one of the world’s leading cultural charities. Founded in Hay-on-Wye, Wales in 1987, it provides audiences with dynamic platforms to come together to share ideas, different perspectives and to provoke conversations that can create a better world.
The appointments come at a time of growth for the charity with preparations underway for an ambitious 40th anniversary year in 2027.
The new trio join Chair Jay Hunt OBE – Creative Director for Apple TV+ International and Chair of the BFI – and fellow Trustees farmer, ceramist and film producer Corisande Albert; international lawyer Victoria Bejarano; economist Nick Butler; Professor Dame Elan Closs Stephens; arts leader and digital specialist Tony Followell; tech investor Suhair Khan; historian, writer and broadcaster David Olusoga; business leader Ed Shedd; and digital content specialist Shakia Stewart.
Jay Hunt said:
“I am delighted to welcome Philip, Mark and Ed to the Hay Festival Global Board of Trustees at such an exciting time. They each bring a unique mix of skills that bolster our already formidable Board – a great boost as we get ready to mark 40 years of Hay Festival in 2027. I look forward to working with them to support the charity’s executive team in the months ahead.”
Hay Festival Global CEO Julie Finch said:
“This is an exciting period of growth for Hay Festival Global, with an ambitious programme of projects and events ahead. Philip, Mark and Ed bring valuable expertise, energy and insight to the Board, and we look forward to their support as we expand our reach and deliver on our ambitions.”
Philip Bunt is a Chartered Accountant with over 30 years’ experience as a school governor and/or charity trustee, including roles at Compton Verney House Charity and Campaign for Learning. He has been a Finance Director, CFO or COO in every executive role since 1989, most recently at UK Anti-Doping (Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
He said:
“I am delighted to have joined the Hay Festival Global Board at such an exciting time. I am deeply impressed by the impact that Hay Festival makes and I look forward to helping guide the organisation in the years ahead. I would like to pay tribute to my predecessor, Geraint Davies, for his huge contribution to Hay Festival over so many years.”
Mark Crosbie is an experienced international business leader, philanthropist and cultural patron with over 40 years’ experience across private equity, investment banking, FTSE-level corporate strategy and major infrastructure development. He was co-founder and is now Vice Chairman and a major shareholder of Antin Infrastructure Partners, one of Europe’s leading listed infrastructure investment firms.
He said:
“I am very happy to join the Hay Festival Global Board. Having previously attended the Festival as an audience member, I realised what a special place it was where open, truthful and respectful conversations take place in an increasingly troubled world. I look forward to supporting Jay, Julie and the rest of the Board as the charity embarks on the next exciting phase of its growth.”
Ed Havard is Director of the BBC’s Entertainment Group, which encompasses studio entertainment, reality, factual entertainment, daytime, features and events. The Entertainment Group comprises nearly 130 titles including some of the BBC’s biggest shows such as The Traitors, Strictly Come Dancing, Gladiators, Race Across The World, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show, and The Apprentice. Prior to joining the BBC, he was Senior Vice President of International Unscripted Programming at NBCUniversal, spearheading projects from the UK market and international co-commissions including The Traitors US, Love Island US, Destination X and SNL UK . He also previously served as Head of Entertainment and TV Events at Channel 4.
He said:
“As a lifelong fan and admirer of Hay Festival, I couldn’t be more excited to be joining the Board of Trustees at such a important time in the Festival’s growth as it approaches its 40th anniversary. I’m delighted to be working with Jay Hunt and the entire team in supporting Hay Festival’s work, which continues to attract the world’s most celebrated artists and thinkers.”
Today’s announcement comes amid a new season of Hay Festival Global activity with events this autumn across Mexico, Peru, Ukraine, the US and UK; platforms including the free monthly Book Club and After Hours events in cities; plus learning and engagement work offering free access to Festival events.
Next up in the UK, Hay Festival Winter Weekend 2026 takes place in Hay-on-Wye, Wales, Thursday 26 November–Sunday 29 November. The full programme is out now.