Ben Monks appointed Improbable executive director

Ben Monks has been appointed executive director of the theatre company Improbable.

Monks is leaving his role as a producer for Supporting Wall, a company which he co-founded in 2008. His productions for the company include Mike Bartlett's BULL at the Young Vic, which won an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in an Affiliate Theatre in 2015.

Monks said he was "thrilled and incredibly proud" with his appointment.

He said: "The company's plans for the coming years are characteristically exciting and ambitious, from operas and Open Space events to performances and participation programmes, and I can't wait to play my part in making them happen."

He takes over from Rachael Williams, who will be leaving at the end of this month following three years with the company, and will work with artistic directors Phelim McDermott and Lee Simpson.

Simpson said Williams led the company "expertly and passionately", and that Monks was "the perfect person to help Improbable realise some of our long held ambitions".

He added: "he is also very likely to keep me and Phelim very much on our toes."