The Birmingham Hippodrome has announced the successor to long-serving chief executive Stuart Griffiths.
Fiona Allan will take over the role later this year when Mr Griffiths joins New Alexandra owner Ambassador Theatre Group in July after 12 years in the post.
Ms Allan has more than 20 years of experience in the cultural sector, with a career that spans both artistic and organisational leadership.
She has been chief executive of Leicester's Curve Theatre since 2011 before which she was artistic director of the Wales Millennium Centre.
A native Australian, her career started at Sydney Opera House where she was head of programming before being appointed chief executive of Sydney Film Festival.
She also sits on the national boards of UK Theatre and Dance Consortium UK.
John Crabtree, chairman of the Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Trust, said: "We are delighted that Fiona has agreed to join us at such an exciting time in our continued growth.
"Our diverse programme and loyal audiences, our fantastically engaged education and community programmes, and our commitment to world-class standards in all that we do puts us in the perfect position to achieve future ambitions with like-minded partners under Fiona's leadership.
"With my fellow trustees and the whole team at the Hippodrome, I look forward to working with Fiona as we enter a new phase in our history."
She added: "I could not be more thrilled to be joining the brilliant team at Birmingham Hippodrome at this exciting moment in the venue's journey.
"It's a nationally acclaimed organisation with infinite potential that has achieved so much under Stuart Griffiths in recent years and I feel privileged to have the opportunity to be part of its, and Birmingham's, future."
