Madani Younis to leave Southbank Centre after less than a year

Madani Younis is stepping down as creative director of the Southbank Centre after less than a year in the post.

Younis, who left the Bush Theatre to take up the position in January this year, said he was leaving to “pursue new creative opportunities”. He will leave in December.

The role of creative director was a newly created post for Younis, who was hired to work with Hayward Gallery director Ralph Rugoff and director of music, Gillian Moore, to create “collaborations and cross-commissioned work”.

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He said: “I am pleased to have been able to set in motion a number of creative projects with the help of the talented team around me during my time with Southbank Centre. I have decided however that I want to pursue other creative interests in the coming months. My thanks go to the Southbank Centre’s board of governors and staff.”

Elaine Bedell, Southbank Centre chief executive, said: “We have enjoyed working with Madani and he has made a significant and positive contribution to discussions about our future creative direction. We wish him well for the future.”

Since joining the organisation he has overseen the outdoor summer programme which celebrated LGBTQ+ artists with a range of events across the Southbank Centre site.

The organisation said he will leave having put “in place plans for several key events in the 2020 artistic programme”.

Younis was artistic director of the Bush Theatre from 2012, until joining the Southbank Centre in the new role.