The chief executive of Arts Council England will present University of Gloucestershire's Chancellor's Lecture 2023 - Happiness as a Public Policy Goal.

Since joining Arts Council England in 2015, Darren Henley CBE has championed the positive impact of public investment in artists, arts organisations, museums and libraries on creating happier lives in villages, towns and cities across England.

Hosted by the university's chancellor, Lord Michael Bichard, Darren's hour-long lecture followed by questions will be held at the university's Park Campus in Cheltenham on Wednesday April 19 from 6pm. Admission is free, but tickets must be booked in advance.

Darren's boardroom experience spans arts, media, education, charity and government, and he currently chairs the UK National Lottery Forum. His previous roles include managing director of Classic FM and author of two independent government reviews into music education and cultural education.

A certified coach, Darren holds a doctorate exploring the role of the outsider as an agent for change, and degrees in politics, management, history of art and applied positive psychology.

He was awarded an OBE in 2013 for services to music and a CBE in 2022 for services to the arts.