The new theatre director of Manchester Palace and Opera House sister-theatres is Robin Hawkes, who crosses the Pennines from Leeds Playhouse to take up his new post in January.
As joint chief executive and executive director during his time at the Playhouse, Robin led the theatre through the huge £16.8m redevelopment of the building.
He says: “It's been an honour and pleasure to work at Leeds Playhouse, a tremendously exciting and vibrant theatre rooted in the city and region.”
His joint chief executive and the Playhouse's artistic director James Brining said: “We are incredibly grateful for the tremendous work Robin has carried out. He leaves us in a fundamentally strong position for the future – despite the considerable challenges the pandemic has thrown at the theatre sector as a whole.
"During his tenure, Robin has been a brilliant colleague and inspirational to work alongside, and I wish him and his family all the best for the future. Our loss is ATG’s gain.”