Lizzie Butterworth has been appointed chief executive of the Australian Festival Association (AFA), the trade body representing festival organisers, suppliers and stakeholders across Australia's music festival sector. She takes over from Olly Arkins, who is leaving the role this Friday, 21 August, after five years at the helm, at a time when the industry faces regulatory, financial and operational pressures alongside shifting ticket-buying habits.

Butterworth spent six years working in the New South Wales parliament and government alongside arts, music and night-time economy minister John Graham, most recently as director of policy for arts, music, night-time economy, jobs and tourism. Her achievements there include establishing Sound NSW, reforming festival regulation and strengthening protections for live music venues. AFA chair Adelle Robinson said Butterworth's government experience and industry relationships make her well placed to lead the association, whose members include Live Nation, Laneway, CMC Rocks and Groovin' The Moo, among others.