David Lan to step down as artistic director of the Young Vic

David Lan is to step down as artistic director of the Young Vic.

Lan was appointed as head of the theatre in 2000 and has run the theatre for 17 years, overseeing productions including Yerma, A View from the Bridge, The Life of Galileo and Happy Days.

His own productions at the theatre include A Raisin in the Sun, Doctor Faustus, The Skin of Our Teeth and Blackta.

Lan oversaw and wrote the architectural brief for the redevelopment of the theatre, designed by Haworth Tomkins. The theatre was named RIBA London Building of the Year in 2007.

People who have worked at the theatre during Lan's tenure include Peter Brook, Patrice Chereau, Luc Bondy, Ivo van Hove, Benedict Andrews, Katie Mitchell, Richard Jones, Diane Paulus, Joe Wright and Simon Stone.

In 2003 the Young Vic won an Olivier Award for its entire season and the work onstage extends to music, opera, dance and short films.

Lan will continue as artistic director and CEO until the new appointment of an artistic director at the end of this year. He will continue to take responsibility for the 2017/18 season, his last at the Young Vic.

Lucy Woollatt will continue to lead the company as executive director.

Lan said: "There is never an easy time to slip away but I wanted to leave at a time of our greatest strength and success. The Young Vic is now admired and emulated internationally as well as loved by our audience in Waterloo, in London and across the UK. It’s the right moment for it to set off on a new journey and a new adventure."

Lan established the Genesis Directors Program and the Jerwood Directors Award. In 2014 he was awarded a CBE for services to theatre.