Founded in 2008, Fringe by the Sea is operated and run by Fringe by the Sea Ltd, a not-for-profit organisation. The festival was launched by John Shaw, Jane Thomson and Eric Wales, who continue in an advisory role to the current board.

Now managed and run by a team of people, headed up by Directors Niall Middleton and Rory Steel, and supported by general manager Jackie Shuttleworth, Fringe by the Sea continues to evolve and develop with the support of the local community, passionate volunteers and generous sponsors, without all of whom the festival would not be possible.