RSC's Catherine Mallyon to step down

Royal Shakespeare Company executive director Catherine Mallyon is to step down after 11 years in the role.

Mallyon, who will leave in December, said "this feels like the right time to pass on the baton".

She joined the organisation in 2012 from the Southbank Centre, succeeding Vikki Heywood. She started at the same time that Gregory Doran became artistic director.
She said: “It has been an enormous privilege to lead the RSC for the past eleven years with an incredible roster of collaborators in Gregory Doran, Erica Whyman and now Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans.

“It has only become possible for me to think beyond the RSC, about the many things I still hope to do professionally and personally, now that we have emerged from the challenges of recent years and arrived at such a positive place. It was always my intention to see Tamara and Daniel into post. With such a strong leadership team and a wonderful audience - and artist-focused creative vision, this feels like the right time to pass on the baton, as the RSC moves into this next chapter – which I know will be a hugely exciting one."

Co-artistic directors Harvey and  Evans praised Mallyon’s "expertise and knowledge of the company" as "second to none".

They added: "Her care and insight have proved invaluable as we prepare to announce our first season. She will be much missed by everyone here, and we wish her every happiness and success for the future.”

Mallyon has also been head of arts and theatres at Reading Borough Council and before that was general manager at Oxford Playhouse.

Details of the recruitment process for the next executive director will be announced soon.