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Robert Hastie named as Deputy Artistic Director

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Today, we announce some important updates to to our board and leadership team.

We’re pleased to announce that Sir Damon Buffini has agreed to extend his term as National Theatre Chair until mid-2027, as leading philanthropist Dame Marit Mohn also joins our Board.

Indhu Rubasingham also makes her first creative appointment with Robert Hastie named as Deputy Artistic Director.

Updates to our Board

Damon joined the National Theatre as Chair in 2016, since when he has overseen a period of immense growth and success. He is a highly experienced leader and, at the request of the Board, Damon has agreed to extend his term and remain as Chair until mid-2027, working together with Co-Chief Executives Indhu Rubasingham and Kate Varah, to ensure a successful leadership transition as current Director and Co-Chief Executive Rufus Norris leaves the National Theatre in Spring 2025.

Damon remaining as Chair will provide valuable stability, continuity and depth of knowledge ensuring that the theatre remains thriving and vital for the nation. Continuity that is vital during a period of leadership change and as the National Theatre undertakes its most ambitious fundraising campaign in its history – Stories Start Here.

At this crucial time of opportunity and growth, long-term supporter of the National Theatre Dame Marit Mohn will join the National Theatre Board, where she will have responsibility for supporting the National Theatre’s Learning programmes.

One of the UK’s leading philanthropists, Marit co-founded the Mohn Westlake Foundation. The driving force of her involvement with the NT has been her belief that all young people should experience the arts. Her support has included the underpinning of the National Theatre’s nationwide work with young people, allowing the organisation to fulfil its mission to be truly national, to inspire and support young people.

A person with a bald head and a beard, wearing a grey plaid blazer over a dark blue turtleneck, stands in front of a neutral, textured wall. They are smiling gently and looking directly at the camera.
Sir Damon Buffini, Chair, National Theatre

The National Theatre is a creative powerhouse that attracts world leading talent to make unforgettable theatre. After a period of economic hardship post COVID, the organisation is embarking on an ambitious five-year strategic plan which will ensure it thrives for generations to come. I am pleased to be remaining as Chair to oversee and support the leadership transition from Rufus to Indhu and Kate next year, who I am confident will lead the National Theatre to great success.

I am delighted to welcome Marit to join the Board of Trustees. Her belief in ensuring young people have access to opportunities they otherwise would not have had, through education and performing arts, sits at the core of the National Theatre’s mission. Her expertise in this area will be invaluable as the NT aims to reach every young person in the UK before they leave school.

Sir Damon Buffini, Chair of National Theatre

Our new Deputy Artistic Director

Robert Hastie will join the National Theatre from January 2025 as Deputy Artistic Director alongside incoming Director and Co-Chief Executive Indhu Rubasingham.

Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres for eight years, Robert has overseen a period of great success producing landmark productions including, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Life of Pi , and Standing at the Sky’s Edge, the latter winning the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre and Best Musical Production at the UK Theatre Awards, transferring to the Olivier Theatre and currently playing at the Gillian Lynne Theatre. It won the 2023 Olivier Award for Best New Musical. The following year the Olivier for Best New Musical was awarded to Operation Mincemeat, currently playing at the Fortune Theatre and also directed by Robert.

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The Company of Standing at the Sky’s Edge. A man with a bald head and short beard, wearing a dark blue button-up shirt, stands in front of a bright window. He is looking directly at the camera with a slight smile. The background shows an out-of-focus view of buildings and greenery.

A central pillar of Robert’s tenure at Sheffield Theatres has been the development of new work, and in 2022 the organisation celebrated its 50th anniversary with a trilogy of plays by Chris Bush, Rock / Paper / Scissors which were performed simultaneously in the Crucible, Lyceum and Playhouse in a theatrical first with cast members performing in all three venues. Tom Basden’s new adaptation of Accidental Death of an Anarchist was produced in Sheffield in 2022, transferring to the Lyric Hammersmith and the Theatre Royal Haymarket.

Robert was Associate Director of the Donmar Warehouse from 2014 to 2019, where he directed productions including The York Realist and My Night with Reg, which transferred to the Apollo Theatre. Previously an actor, Robert spent a year at the National Theatre in 2009-2010, performing in All’s Well that Ends Well and Nation.

Robert will work closely with Indhu Rubasingham to support and shape the NT’s creative output.

Indhu Rubasingham sits in front of a concrete wall within the National Theatre, smiling at the Camera.
Indhu Rubasingham, Director Designate, National Theatre. Photo by Antonio Olmos.

I am delighted to welcome Robert Hastie as Deputy Artistic Director. Having been Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres for eight years producing popular work of exceptional quality, coupled with his commitment to develop emerging talent, Robert will be an asset to the NT when he joins next year.

Indhu Rubasingham, Director Designate