Rachel Tackley appointed executive director of Chichester Festival Theatre

Rachel Tackley has been announced as the new executive director of Chichester Festival Theatre. Tackley will succeed Alan Finch when he leaves the theatre in September.

As director and CEO of English Touring Theatre since 2008, Tackley will also end her six-year tenure as president of UK Theatre in June to share the leadership of Chichester with new artistic director Daniel Evans from September.

Tackley's credits also include chief executive of Milton Keynes Theatre and head of programming for the Ambassador Theatre Group. Commenting on the post, Tackley said:

"Chichester Festival Theatre have become by-words for excellence and ambition and I am thrilled and honoured to be the next executive director. I look forward to working with Daniel Evans and the extraordinary team in Chichester to lead the company through its next exciting phase. I relish this opportunity to build on the company’s success and to develop the significant contribution that it makes to theatre regionally, nationally and internationally."

Finch added: "‘It's marvellous news that Rachel will be taking up the reins of this wonderful organisation. She brings genuine passion and skill for both the creative producing side of the role and the executive and administrative strategy. I know that she will be warmly welcomed by Chichester’s staff, artistic company, audiences and wider community."

You can read the recently announced Chichester season here.