Chichester Festival Theatre Chairman Sir William Castell has announced the appointment of Daniel Evans to succeed Jonathan Church as Artistic Director of Chichester Festival Theatre.
Daniel Evans has been Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres since 2009. He will take up his new post in July 2016.
Castell said, "After a comprehensive search, we were presented with a very accomplished shortlist of candidates but it was clear that Daniel's breadth of experience as a director and actor makes him a brilliant fit for Chichester Festival Theatre.
"He is widely admired for championing classical work and musicals alongside a commitment to new writing, and his passion for theatre is infectious."
Evans said, "I am truly delighted to be asked by the Board at Chichester Festival Theatre to become its next Artistic Director. Under the leadership of Jonathan Church and Executive Director Alan Finch, Chichester has developed into the most incredible theatrical powerhouse which has fed and nourished the local community in the south east as well as the theatre ecology throughout the UK and internationally.
"I look forward to collaborating with the team in West Sussex to develop that work further as the organisation evolves into this next exciting chapter in its history.
Jonathan Church, who leaves Chichester in September 2016, added, "I could not be happier with this fantastic news. Daniel is a first-rate director with a real passion for theatre and I'm really pleased to be leaving Chichester Festival Theatre in such good hands.
"As someone who has lived and worked in Sheffield, I can truly appreciate everything that he has achieved there. Sheffield's Crucible Theatre has the only other large-scale Guthrie thrust stage in the UK, so Daniel's experience will sit wonderfully with our audience here in Chichester and be welcomed with great excitement by our staff.
"I will continue to programme and deliver our Festival 2016 season as I hand over to Daniel and wish him every good fortune as he takes over the helm."