Royal Shakespeare Company executive director Catherine Mallyon is to step down after 11 years in the post and will leave at Christmas 2023.
She said, “it’s been an enormous privilege to lead the RSC for the past 11 years with an incredible roster of collaborators in Gregory Doran, Erica Whyman and now Tamara Harvey and Daniel Evans.
“It’s 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 the next chapter which I know will be a hugely exciting one.”
Co-artistic directors Harvey and Evans commented, “we couldn’t be more grateful to Catherine for her support and guidance as we’ve stepped into our roles here at the RSC. Her expertise and knowledge of the company are second to none, and her care and insight have proved invaluable as we prepare to announce our first season. She’ll be much missed by everyone here and we wish her every happiness and success in the future.”
Chair of the RSC board Shriti Vadera added, “we’ve been incredibly fortunate to have had Catherine’s skill and steadying hand at the helm for the past decade, not least having navigated us through the pandemic—undoubtedly one of the most challenging periods the industry has ever faced—and seeing through the transition of the new co-artistic directors.
"I’m personally very grateful to Catherine for her support during these times of significant change. The impact of her tenure will be reflected throughout the company as it moves ever onwards.”
Details of the recruitment process for her successor are to be announced.