Sir Rupert Gavin announced as Chair of English National Ballet

Sir Rupert Gavin is a highly regarded arts and business leader. He has been managing director of British Telecom, CEO of BBC Worldwide, and CEO of Odeon Cinemas Group. More recently he has been Chair of Historic Royal Palaces for several successive terms, and Chair of the Honours Committee for Arts and Media for seven years.

Throughout his life he has been an impresario in the performing arts. He was a board director and then shareholder, until 2013, in Ambassador Theatre Group, on its way to becoming the largest theatre owner/producer group in the world. He has personally produced or co-produced over 200 shows in London, on Broadway and around the world, winning 21 Olivier Awards and 9 Tonys for highly creative, ground-breaking work. He was knighted in the King’s first Birthday Honours list, ‘for services to drama, to the arts, to heritage and the economy’.

Sir Rupert Gavin said: “I am deeply honoured to have been asked to chair the Board of English National Ballet. It is a company with an unrivalled commitment to excellence, strong foundations, and an exciting vision for the future. I look forward to helping the Company realise that vision”.

He succeeds Sir Roger Carr who steps down as Chair following a five-year tenure.

Sir Roger Carr commented: “It has been a great privilege to serve as Chair of English National Ballet’s Board of Trustees. I am proud to have overseen the Company’s move into its world class, purpose-built facilities in Canning Town, the refreshment of a strong board, and the successful navigation of the impact of the pandemic. As I near the end of my second term and English National Ballet enters a new chapter with the arrival of a new Artistic Director, I felt the time was right for the Executive team to build a long-term future in partnership with a new Chair, and collectively realise Aaron’s artistic vision for the Company. Against this background I look forward to seeing this remarkable and talented company flourish long into the future.”

Sir Rupert will work closely with Artistic Director Aaron S. Watkin, Executive Director Patrick Harrison and Chief Operating Officer Grace Chan to take English National Ballet into its exciting new era.

A rigorous search and appointment process was managed by NuRole and overseen by a Nominations Committee of ENB Trustees. External input and advice was also sought and the process was observed by Arts Council England.

The Trustees sincerely thank Sir Roger for his exceptional contribution to English National Ballet.