A KEIGHLEY-based artist and TV presenter and the man in charge of running Sheffield's theatres have been picked to deliver Bradford's 2025 City of Culture programme.

It has been announced that Shanaz Gulzar, who played a key role in the successful City of Culture bid, will be creative director of Bradford 2025.

And Dan Bates, chief executive of Sheffield Theatres, has been named Bradford 2025's executive director.

Shanaz is an artist, producer, presenter and former chair of Bradford 2025, the team set-up to secure the title for Bradford district.

Her career spans film, arts, theatre and media, and she most recently worked as a producer at Manchester International Festival.

She has also fronted a number of BBC television programmes including Yorkshire Walks and Hidden Histories: The Lost Portraits of Bradford.

She will work with local, national and international partners to produce a creative programme for the year of culture.

Following her appointment, she said: "I'm of Bradford, a Keighley lass, and having been part of the cultural community here for more than 25 years I know the passion and potential of the brilliant artists and creative communities in the district.

"I will be drawing on my years at Manchester International Festival, producing events and experiences that have an international outlook whilst shining a light on homegrown stories and talent. Our winning bid was shaped by thousands of conversations with our many, diverse communities and our extraordinary young population across the district. I'm thrilled to be working alongside Dan to bring the ambition of our bid to life in our mills, across our hills, in our towns and streets from Haworth to Keighley, Bingley to Bradford city centre."

Dan Bates will be joining Bradford Culture Company, the charitable organisation delivering Bradford 2025, from his current role as chief executive of Sheffield Theatres. He has also developed programmes for West Yorkshire Playhouse.

He said: "When I heard that Bradford had won the title of UK City of Culture 2025, I was so excited for what an opportunity a year of culture can bring to the district and its people. I am even more excited now to deliver this for the district, working alongside Shanaz, and can't wait to get to work. It has been wonderful to meet the people behind the bid, to hear their stories, and it is a real honour to be working with those who have already pledged support."