Australian composer Jonathan Mills has been named the next head of the Edinburgh Festival, beginning with the summer event’s 2007 season. Mills replaces Sir Brian McMaster, who has been criticised in recent years for his refusal to add a visual arts component to the event, and for what some perceived as the festival’s focus on classical music to the exclusion of other performing arts. It is hoped that Mills will also be able to reverse the festival’s slide into fiscal deficits, which have run as high as £1m on a £7.5m budget.