Rupert Goold new Artistic Director of Almeida August 2013

It has been announced that Rupert Goold is the new Artistic Director of Almeida Theatre Company, with effect from August 2013, succeeding Michael Attenborough, who in October last year announced that after 11 years as Artistic Director, he was stepping down in order to concentrate on his directing.

Rupert Goold's first production under his Artistic Directorship is expected to be in January 2014.

Rupert Goold said: "After eight wonderful years at Headlong I'm thrilled to be joining the Almeida, with our collaborations on Chimerica and American Psycho this year it feels the perfect timing. I look forward to welcoming the best artists from here and abroad to make work in this magical theatre and building on its international reputation for theatre of risk and vision."

Michael Attenborough, current Artistic Director, Almeida Theatre, said: "I can pay Rupert no higher compliment than point to the fact that we are co-producing two shows with his company Headlong (one of which he is directing himself) during my final season up to the end of 2013. I am truly thrilled to be passing the theatre on to, not only a bold and brilliant director, but someone who takes equal delight in the promotion of other artists and the same ambitious, progressive programming for which the Almeida has always been known."

Rupert Goold has been Artistic Director of Headlong Theatre since 2005. He was Associate Director at the Royal Shakespeare Company (2009-2012). Previously he was Artistic Director of Northampton Theatres (2002 –“ 2005). Goold has twice been the recipient of the Laurence Olivier, Critics' Circle and Evening Standard awards for Best Director.

The Almeida Theatre is a 325 seat theatre in Islington, north London. As well as Michael Attenborough (2002-March 2013), previous Artistic Directors of the Almeida Theatre Company are Jonathan Kent and Ian McDiarmid (1990-2002) and Pierre Audi (1980-1990). Supported using public money by Arts Council England, the theatre fundraises £1.3 million annually which, combined with ticket sales, contributes to its £4.2 million turnover.