It has been announced that Scott Ramsay, Director of Harlow Playhouse, will step down from his post in February 2017. After eight years leading the Harlow venue, Ramsay is relocating to Portsmouth to become Chief Executive and Artistic Director of the New Theatre Royal, which has recently reopened after a 4.5million pound refurbishment. He will also lead an innovative partnership with the University of Portsmouth, developing digital creative work.

In his time at the Harlow venue, Ramsay has been responsible for repositioning the Playhouse as the leading venue for West Essex and East Herts, and as a key commissioner of new work in the Eastern Region. He has also overseen considerable investment into the Playhouse building amounting to £2.4 million pounds.

Scott Ramsay said “I’d like to thank my dedicated team for their work over the last eight years. It’s time to hand on the baton to a new pair of hands. I wish them every-luck in securing a vision for the Town Centre, and the cultural commitment required to attract external investment into Harlow as a growing regional hub.”

Ramsay’s last production for the Playhouse will be this Christmas Season’s pantomime, Beauty and the Beast, which looks likely to the theatre most successful Season yet.

Mr Ramsay’s work at the Harlow Playhouse has been remarkable as he has produced and developed a theatre complex that is the envy of many towns.

But some may wonder whether Harlow Council did more to keep Mr Ramsay.

Sources close to the theatre have suggested that he was becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of vision of the council when it came to the arts.

He will replace Caroline Sharman, who has been chief executive of the New Theatre Royal since 2008.