Rachel O’Riordan, who has been the artistic director and CEO of Sherman Theatre since February 2014, has been named the new artistic director and joint chief executive of London's Lyric Hammersmith.

O’Riordan will succeed current Artistic Director Sean Holmes, who will step down from the position in October. His final season of programmed shows begins in January 2019. O’Riordan will join the Lyric Hammersmith in early February 2019, with her first full season opening in fall 2019.

O’Riordan was previously the artistic director of Perth Theatre Scotland and Ransom Theatre Company in Northern Ireland. Her recent directing credits include The Cherry Orchard for Sherman Theatre and Come on Home at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin.

O’Riordan said in a statement, “The Lyric Hammersmith is one of the most exciting theatres in London. It occupies a special place in the theatre ecology; egalitarian, open, and bold. I am looking forward to continuing the theatre's journey and leading a new phase of artistic evolution, working alongside Sian Alexander and the Lyric team. I am honored to have been chosen to succeed Sean Holmes, and look forward to getting to know new audiences in West London and beyond.”

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Chair of the Lyric Hammersmith Lisa Burger added, “I’m a great admirer of her work at the Sherman in Cardiff and look forward to her bringing her passion for theatre and commitment to excellence, generosity, and ambition to Hammersmith.”