Vicky Featherstone will leave her current job as director of the Paines Plough theatre company in London to take up her new post in November.

Ms Featherstone will be the first person to lead the National Theatre, which was founded earlier this year with £7.5 million from the Scottish Executive.

The recipient of 12 theatre awards in the past five years alone, she is known as a supporter of new and cutting-edge writing.

Although she was born in Redhill, Surrey, Ms Featherstone spent much of her childhood in Scotland before moving with her family to live in India, Japan and Germany.

Ms Featherstone, who picked up three Edinburgh Fringe First Awards in 1999, 2001 and 2003, went to primary school in Alva, Clackmannanshire.

She is also recognised for her work on productions by people with physical and sensory impairments.

Ms Featherstone said: “I am honoured to be charged with the historic responsibility of developing and achieving the founding vision for the National Theatre of Scotland. The company will build upon all that is vibrant, dynamic and ground-breaking in Scotland and the Scottish theatre scene, to create life-changing theatre for all to enjoy.”

Frank McAveety, Scotland’s Culture Minister, said: “The creation of the first National Theatre of Scotland is testimony to our commitment to see the arts flourish here in Scotland.

“I am delighted to welcome Vicky Featherstone to the job of ensuring the National Theatre of Scotland is something we can be proud of and that will make Scotland’s mark on the international cultural stage.”

The National Theatre’s first production is likely to be staged in early 2005.

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