Baroness Smith has formally stepped down as chairman of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society after 17 years in the role.
Lady (Elizabeth) Smith, widow of the late Labour leader John Smith, said she felt it was time for some "fresh thinking" and for someone new to lead the board.
She has been chairman of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society since 1995, and stepped down at its annual general meeting in the city on Saturday.
The Society will announce a new chairman in October.
Lady Smith said: "I have decided that it is time for some fresh thinking and for someone new to lead the board into the future.
"For me, serving the Fringe Society has been more fascinating and enthralling than I ever could have imagined when I joined the board.
"If I have learnt anything over that time it is that the enduring strength of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is in people coming together and collaborating to create something truly unique and far, far greater than the sum of its parts."
This year is the Fringe's biggest yet, with 2695 shows over 279 venues.
An estimated 22,457 performers will take to the stage from August 3 to 27, with well-known names including Jimmy Carr, Phill Jupitus and Paul Merton as well as performances on stage from Les Dennis, Matthew Kelly and Claire Sweeney.
Kath Mainland, chief executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "Elizabeth has been a fantastic chair of the Fringe Society. During her time as chair, the Fringe has cemented its position as the most successful arts event of its kind in the world.
"The internationalism of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe seems to speak to Elizabeth's own outward-looking nature and as chair she has helped to ensure that the Fringe has grown without ever losing its vitality and bite. Elizabeth is a sane, shrewd and influential voice in politics, arts and public life in general."
