Tessa Ross to Step Down as Chief Executive After Two Weeks With the National Theatre

Tessa Ross announces today that she is to step down as Chief Executive of the National Theatre, but will remain working with the National as a consultant. Rufus Norris will continue to lead the NT as Director, with Lisa Burger as Executive Director.

Tessa Ross said: "I joined the NT last year and have got to know the organisation in great detail. However, it has become clear to me that the new leadership structure, with a separate role of Chief Executive, is not right for the NT at this time, and so I have decided to step down. I will, with great pleasure, continue to work with Rufus and Lisa as a consultant, ensuring the smooth delivery of their first season and planning for the next one. It is an institution that I love and for which it has been a great privilege to work."

John Makinson, Chairman of the National Theatre, said: "It is with great regret that we are saying goodbye to Tessa in this role. She is an outstanding producer and executive and has already made a significant contribution to the National. However, we recognise and salute the integrity of her decision.

"The NT has a strong team in place under the capable and skilful leadership of Rufus and Lisa. The National is in very good hands."

Rufus Norris, Director of the National Theatre, said: "Tessa's role in the planning of my first year and beyond at the NT has been invaluable and immense. I'm sad that our partnership is ending prematurely but am grateful for everything she has done here, and happy that we'll work together on a consultancy basis. As I continue to steer this extraordinary powerhouse, I look forward to working in close partnership with Lisa Burger as together we build on our plans for the National's future.'

Tessa Ross was appointed Chief Executive Designate in March 2014 and joined the National Theatre full time in November 2014. She came to the National from Channel 4 where she was Controller of Film and Drama, developing and financing films such as the Oscar and BAFTA-winning 12 Years a Slave and Slumdog Millionaire. Tessa was appointed CBE in the New Year 2010 Honours List and received the 2013 Bafta for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema.

Rufus Norris' opening year as Director of the National begins this month with Caryl Churchill's Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, directed by Lyndsey Turner, and his own production of Everyman in a new adaptation by Carol Ann Duffy, with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the title role. Forthcoming highlights include co-productions with Bristol Old Vic (Jane Eyre), Manchester International Festival (wonder.land), the Royal Exchange Theatre (D H Lawrence's Husbands and Sons) and Headlong (Duncan Macmillan's People, Places and Things); new plays by Caryl Churchill, Patrick Marber and Wallace Shawn; new productions of classics by Shakespeare, Farquhar, Turgenev and Granville Barker; and modern masterpieces by Stephen Adly Guirgis, Timberlake Wertenbaker and August Wilson.

Lisa Burger leads the £80m NT Future project, which is nearing completion. Over the past ten years, she has been a key part of the Executive team which extended the company's reach and access, and its touring and commercial production activities. She led the feasibility study which resulted in the highly successful National Theatre Live programme.

Over £79m has been raised for the NT Future project, which opens up the National to the audiences and artists of the future, thanks to the generosity of the Arts Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund, individuals, trusts and foundations, and the National's own earnings from War Horse, as well as an audience appeal.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is currently playing in the West End, on a 31-city UK tour and on Broadway; War Horse is in the West End, on tour in Holland, and opening in China in September as part of the NT's new partnership with the National Theatre of China.

Forthcoming National Theatre Live broadcasts to cinemas worldwide include Man and Superman with Ralph Fiennes; Everyman with Chiwetel Ejiofor; The Beaux' Stratagem; and Benedict Cumberbatch in Hamlet from the Barbican.

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