Arts Council England has announced the last details of the new structure that will save £6.5m a year, meeting the government’s requirement of 15% of savings by the end of tine financial year.

The principal changes include:

· an overall reduction in staff numbers across the organisation of 21 per cent

· nine streamlined regional offices grouped in four areas – North; Midlands and South West; East and South East; London

· a smaller head office, which will also co-locate with the London regional office

· a smaller executive board – nine members instead of 14

· a centralised grants for the arts process based in Manchester.

Changes will begin immediately with the new structure fully in place by April 2010.

The proposals were announced in February and approved by the national council last week. They will allow the sharing of resources and knowledge more flexibly across the organisation and simplified processes. Regional staff will be focused on customer-facing activities, while the streamlined head office and smaller executive board will be more strategic.

“This is no mere tinkering” said chief executive Alan Davey. “It is about transforming the way we work and requires a significant change in our culture. I have confidence in our people’s ability to step up to that challenge – to operate as one organisation, with responsibility and openness, to achieve our mission of great art for everyone.”