A former director of the Royal Shakespeare Company has been appointed the chief executive of The Marlowe.

Deborah Shaw, who will take on her new role in September, is the first appointment the Canterbury theatre has made since it announced it is to become an independent charitable trust.

She will be tasked with overseeing the trust's strategic vision, boosting its commercial presence and and keeping it financially stable.

“I am delighted to be appointed chief executive of The Marlowe at this exciting moment in its evolution," she said.

"There has been a real success story in recent years and I look forward to working with the trustees, partners and the theatre team on an ambitious future.

"Together we will continue to serve the audiences and communities of Canterbury and East Kent, nurture local talent and extend The Marlowe’s influence as a cultural powerhouse for the region.”

Other posts held by the incoming chief executive include being director of the Bath Shakespeare Festival and artistic director of Chester Gateway Theatre.

Chairman of the Marlowe Trust, Jonathan Church, said: “Deborah will be joining the theatre at an exciting time. Her track record of executive and artistic leadership in a number of high-profile arts organisations, combined with her belief in regional theatre and its power to connect with local audiences, will enable us to build on the extraordinary work of the current team.

“Her appointment, alongside the skill and strength of the senior management team, gives us the ability and confidence to capitalise on the incredible opportunity given to us by Canterbury City Council to take The Marlowe into a new phase of its life.”