Sir Nicholas Hytner to leave National Theatre

Sir Nicholas Hytner has announced he will be stepping down as director of the National Theatre in London.

The 56-year-old, who has been at the theatre for a decade, said he would leave at the end of March 2015.

"It's been a joy and a privilege to lead the National Theatre for 10 years and I'm looking forward to the next two," Sir Nicholas said.

Executive director Nick Starr announced he would also be leaving the company in 2014.

Sir Nicholas started his tenure at the National in April 2003, taking over from Sir Trevor Nunn.

"I have the most exciting and most fulfilling job in the English-speaking theatre," he said in a statement.

"After 12 years it will be time to give someone else a turn to enjoy the company of my stupendous colleagues, who together make the National what it is," he added.

Starr, who has been executive director since 2002, said it would be "a wrench" to leave the theatre.

"I want to make room for the next generation, and it's time for me to plough new furrows," he said.

John Makinson, chairman of the National Theatre, said it was "a sad moment" for the theatre.

"Nick Hytner and Nick Starr have led the National Theatre to undreamt levels of creative and commercial success over the past decade," he added.

The position will be advertised next week and a replacement will be announced in autumn 2013.