The artistic director of Scottish Ballet, Christopher Hampson, has become its new chief executive.

In March this year, he was appointed as acting chief executive after the former chief executive and executive producer, Cindy Sughrue, stood down.

Scottish Ballet will now also begin a search for an executive director who will sit on the national company's board and report to Hampson, with a remit for "clear focus on strategic vision and commercial success."

Hampson said that he acknowledged that both positions he now holds were "vital and big roles" for the company.

However he said that with what he described as a strong team already in place at the national company, and the new executive director position to be established, holding both roles was possible.

Hampson said having both roles would also allow him to have a leading role in areas such as education and strategic development of the whole company, as well as its artistic output.

Hampson, a former dancer himself, said: "We have an extremely dynamic, dedicated and talented team at Scottish Ballet and I look forward to further developing the creativity and reach of the company.

"We are defined by our art, vitality and sense of innovation and I look forward to working closely with the board to maintain and enhance Scottish Ballet's position as a leading dance company in the UK and beyond."

Hampson said he believed the company was in a "fantastic state" both on and off the stage and a recent tour to major venues in the US with A Streetcar Named Desire had been greeted warmly.

Scottish Ballet's chairman, Norman Murray, said: "I am delighted that after a very thorough review of the organisation the Board is confident that Christopher's sound leadership skills, strategic and artistic vision will ensure the company continues to go from strength to strength.

"We look forward to working with him and his team, following one of the most successful years for Scottish Ballet in recent history".

Mr Murray said that the board had undertaken a review of how the company was run, with aid from consultants, and believed it should be "artistically led."

Hampson's own version of Cinderella will be staged this winter and will present a "new, cutting edge" Swan Lake next spring.

In March the Sughrue stood down in an unexpected move.

Sughrue had been with the company for more than a decade and overseen considerable changes at the company, including its move to a new headquarters at the Tramway in the south side of Glasgow.

In the interim Hampson had assumed the role of acting Chief Executive.

Hampson joined Scottish Ballet as artistic director in August 2012.

A former dancer at English National Ballet, where he danced until 1999, he trained at the Royal Ballet Schools.

At ENB he created award-winning works as a choreographer, including Double Concerto, Perpetuum Mobile, Country Garden, Concerto Grosso and The Nutcracker.

His version of Romeo and Juliet, created for the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB), was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award (Best New Production 2005) and his production of Giselle for the National Theatre in Prague has been performed every year since its premiere in 2004.

His work has toured Australia, China, the USA and throughout Europe.

Christopher is a co-founder of the International Ballet Masterclasses in Prague and has been a guest teacher for English National Ballet, Royal Swedish Ballet, Royal New Zealand Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, Atlanta Ballet, Bonachela Dance Company, Matthew Bourne's New Adventures and the Genée International Ballet Competition.