Sean Foley announced as new Birmingham Rep artistic director

Sean Foley has been announced as the new artistic director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

Foley, a multi-Olivier Award-winning actor, writer and director who has overseen productions including The Painkiller, The Ladykillers and Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect Nonsense, will take on the role in the summer of 2019, with a first season of work starting in 2020.

He will be joined by new deputy artistic director Amit Sharma, formerly the associate director at Graeae and associate artistic director at Manchester's Royal Exchange. Rachael Thomas, executive director of Derby Theatre, will join the venue as the new executive director.

Foley said: "The UK's Second City is full of amazing people: as one of the most multicultural cities in Britain, its stories are specific, but also universal. I'm British, but also half Irish, half Brummie, and am excited to be returning to work in the city having grown up in its suburbs."

Sharma added: "I have had such an amazing time with Graeae, who will always be part of my life, but the opportunity to join Sean, Rachael and the remarkable team in Birmingham fills me with such excitement that I can't wait to get started."

Thomas said: "These are exciting times for Birmingham as it continues its transformation into a world class city – from the major redevelopment of the city centre to its role as host of the 2022 Commonwealth Games, the vision and ambition within the city is clear."

The trio take over from the rep's current artistic director, Roxana Silbert and executive director, Stuart Rogers who leave later this year.