Arts as the first chairman of South West Arts Marketing, he is also a director of art + power.

This is a group of disabled artists working for change.

Mr Gibby has also served as a board member of Total Theatre, Bristol Arts Marketing and the Welsh new writing company, Theatr y Byd.

He said: "I needed no persuading to become Director of Arts & Business South West at this pivotal moment in its history.

"In its first two years, the hard-working and extremely capable A&B South West team has built strong foundations from Gloucestershire to Cornwall.

"This gives us a fantastic opportunity to seize the future.

"I promise arts organisations and the business community in the south west that our ambitions will match yours.

"We will bring energy, creativity and new thinking into every debate we enter.

"We will stimulate, provoke and cajole both sectors into new and exciting collaborations wherever and whenever we see the chance.

"We will work vigorously to spark new relationships, to share ideas, experience and to apply best practice.

"We have a vital role to fulfil, and aim to be a catalyst for change throughout the region."

Paying tribute to his predecessor, he added: "Siobhan Flynn has done tremendous work in putting Arts & Business South West on the map.

"I am immensely grateful to her for giving me such a solid platform from which to build."