The Royal Shakespeare Company has announced that Catherine Mallyon will succeed Vikki Heywood as Executive Director at the prestigious theatre company.
Mallyon will take up the post on 14 September alongside the previously announced Artistic Director designate Gregory Doran. Commenting on the appointment, Doran said: “I am greatly looking forward to working with Catherine. She brings huge experience with her from [the] Southbank Centre, which will be invaluable to the organisation as we move forward.”
Mallyon joins the Stratford-upon-Avon-based company from her current role at the Southbank Centre as Deputy Chief Executive. Having led all Southbank Centre operational activity since 2005, Mallyon’s major projects at the venue have included reopening the Royal Festival Hall after its refurbishment in 2007 and the renewal of the Hayward Gallery in 2010.
Mallyon described the appointment as a “great honour”, saying: “I join with enthusiasm and longstanding respect and affection for the RSC. I look forward very much to working closely with Greg and the whole RSC team to build on the company’s many achievements. These are successful and exciting times for the RSC and I will work to sustain and develop the Company’s excellence at home in Stratford-upon-Avon, regionally, nationally and internationally.”
Her predecessor Heywood said she was “delighted to be able to leave the company in such talented hands.”