Arts Consultant, former Director of Culture, City of Edinburgh Council; Burgess and Free Citizen of the City of Edinburgh; Boxmaster from 2024-2026 and now Deacon of the Incorporation of Bakers [or Baxters] of the City of Edinburgh

Lynne Halfpenny is a senior cultural leader and arts consultant with more than 35 years` experience shaping cultural policy across Scotland and internationally. As Director of Culture for the City of Edinburgh from 2015 to 2021, she was responsible for the city`s cultural venues, civic museums, major event bidding, and an £18 million budget, advising elected members and representing Edinburgh in Scottish Government and international forums.

Since establishing her consultancy practice, she has worked with organisations across the UK and beyond, including advising the City of Adelaide on festival policy reform and serving as an Independent Assessor for British Council International Collaboration Grants.

Lynne was Chair of Imaginate / Edinburgh International Children`s Festival from 2021-2026, is a Director of the World Cities Culture Forum, and a Trustee of the Traverse Theatre. She is a former Visiting Professor at Edinburgh Napier University and holds a BA in Communication Studies from Queen Margaret University.

In 2020 she was appointed Burgess and Free Citizen of the City of Edinburgh. Boxmaster from 2024-2026 and now Deacon of the Incorporation of Bakers [or Baxters] of the City of Edinburgh.