Natasha Kaplinsky announced as Chair of The Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School has appointed Natasha Kaplinsky OBE as its new Chair, effective from 1 October 2024. Kaplinsky is the third high-level appointment in a year in which The Royal Ballet School has seen the departures of its Artistic Director & CEO, and Chairman. Previous Chairman Christopher Rodrigues CBE stepped down earlier this year.
The broadcaster and journalist Natasha Kaplinsky OBE will take up the post of Chair of The Royal Ballet School on 1 October 2024.
Kaplinsky will replace Anna Birkett, who has held the position of Interim Chairman since January of this year. Previously the position was held by Christopher Rodrigues CBE.
Birkett, said:
I’m delighted to hand the baton to an eminently qualified Chair. The School is extremely fortunate to have Natasha to champion its mission. With her wealth of experience, she will build strong partnerships to raise awareness of the School’s work and help further harness its power as a revered British cultural institution and a world leader in classical ballet training.
Kaplinsky is the third high-level appointment in a year in which The Royal Ballet School has seen the departures of its Artistic Director & CEO, and Chairman. New Artistic Director Iain Mackay joined the School in September, and new CEO Patrick Harrison will the School in October. She brings extensive experience in roles in philanthropic and commercial businesses, spanning over 20 years. Between 2013 – 2016, she served on the Board of English National Ballet, crossing paths with the School’s incoming CEO, Patrick Harrison. She is President of the children’s charity Barnardo’s, a Global Ambassador for Save the Children and is President of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) and Chair of its Board of Directors.
Kaplinsky said of her appointment:
I am overjoyed to join The Royal Ballet School at such a pivotal moment in its history as we prepare to celebrate its Centenary in 2026. It is an honour to lead the Board of this globally celebrated institution, which counts so many leading lights of classical ballet as its 100-year legacy.
The Royal Ballet School is an exciting and ground-breaking place. It works with extraordinary young people, from those in its full-time training to those thousands participating in its many outreach programmes. It is a privilege to see first-hand the holistic approach the School takes to nurturing its students to thrive and its commitment to finding ways to widen access to classical ballet for all, both in the UK and worldwide. Around 90% of the School’s full-time students receive some form of financial support to attend, and the ongoing generosity of the School’s supporters also funds many of their outreach programmes.
I look forward to bringing my experience to this special organisation, working with the highly dedicated and skilled Board and staff to build the School’s sustainability for the next century.
Patrick Harrison, who will join the School as CEO in October 2024, said:
With her vast experience, Natasha is perfectly equipped to lead the School’s Board through its next phase. I look forward to working closely with her to deliver an evolved strategy and a positive and sustainable future for the organisation, ensuring it thrives through its centenary year and beyond.
Graham Spicer, aka ‘Gramilano’, is a writer, director and photographer based in Milan. He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy. His articles have appeared in various publications from Woman’s Weekly to Gay Times, and he wrote the Danza in Italia column for Dancing Times magazine. Graham was the historical advisor on Codice Carla, the 2023 documentary on Carla Fracci.
Graham also works as a dance photographer, and his photos have appeared in many books, theatre programmes, and magazines, including Dancing Times, Dance Spirit and Ballet2000, as well as all the major Italian newspapers.
He is a member of the Dance Section of The Critics’ Circle.
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