In a joint press statement, they commented, "It has been exhilarating to be part of the creation of a new theatre for London; from building site to a fully developed and flourishing part of the West End theatrical scene. Our inaugural year of productions culminating in the critically acclaimed Scenes From A Marriage directed by Trevor Nunn is now complete and we are already programmed through much of 2014. We are happy to be leaving the St. James Theatre safe in the knowledge that it has a very exciting season ahead."

The pair, who will now set up an independent production company, also commented, "We are both very excited about the future and have some wonderful projects we hope to bring to a wider audience, and of course hope that some of these will be seen at the St. James in the future."

The theatre's executive director, Robert Mackintosh, added, "David and Guy have fulfilled the huge task of getting the St. James Theatre up and running and we couldn't have asked for two better people to do the job.

"In its inaugural year, the main house has staged nine critically acclaimed productions, working with too many talented actors, directors and writers to mention – but including Anthony Andrews, Sandi Toksvig, John Caird, Diana Quick and most recently Trevor Nunn and Olivia Williams.

"Largely thanks to David and Guy, the theatre has become an important part of the West End – and local - theatre establishment. They have programmed the theatre through much of 2014 and will now leave their posts in order to focus on their own production company. I will remain as executive producer and will continue to work with our team to provide London theatre goers with ever more exciting productions at the St. James Theatre. I look forward to working both David and Guy again in the near future on some of their own projects."