Madani Younis to step down as creative director of Southbank Centre

MADANI YOUNIS is stepping down as creative director of Southbank Centre after less than a year since taking up the post, it was announced today (23).

Younis said he was leaving to "pursue new creative opportunities." He will leave Southbank Centre in December 2019.

Younis said he was "pleased to have been able to set in motion a number of creative projects with the help of the talented team around me during my time with Southbank Centre. I have decided however that I want to pursue other creative interests in the coming months. My thanks go to the Southbank Centre's Board of Governors and staff.”

Since joining the organisation in 2018, Younis has overseen the hugely successful outdoor summer programme that celebrated LGBTQ+ artists with a range of events across the Southbank Centre site.

Elaine Bedell, chief executive, Southbank Centre, said: “We have enjoyed working with Madani and he has made a significant and positive contribution to discussions about our future creative direction. We wish him well for the future.”

Younis was artistic director of the Bush Theatre from 2012 till he joined the Southbank Centre in 2018.

During his tenure with the Bush Theatre, Younis has delivered the largest capital project in the theatre’s history tripling audience capacity, produced work that has toured both nationally and internationally and delivered the theatre’s first West End transfer in over a decade.