Rose Bruford appoints Mary Oliver as vice principal

Rose Bruford College has appointed Mary Oliver as its new vice principal.

Oliver, who replaces Andrew Walker at the drama school, joins on June 1, as Booker Prize-winning author Bernardine Evaristo also begins her role as president.

Oliver is currently professor and dean at the Arts University Bournemouth, where she oversees its media and performance faculty.

Her previous roles include head of media at Manchester Metropolitan University, and she was awarded a national teaching fellowship in 2013 for innovative pedagogy in the teaching of contemporary performance. She is also a writer, performer and producer.

Oliver said of her appointment: "I am delighted to have the opportunity to join the progressive leadership team at Rose Bruford and bring my innovative approach to the teaching of theatre and performance. With the recent launch of the Centre for Digital Production, as well as the new BA in theatre and social change, Rose Bruford are actively enhancing their portfolio offer and reaching out to new and diverse communities of learners and I am excited to be part of these developments."

Rose Bruford principal Clarie Middleton added that Oliver’s appointment is "a key part" of the school’s drive to "achieve social change as well as cultural impact".

"We’re thrilled that she will help drive our strategic transformation in the years to come, both in terms of the growth and development of the curriculum, and in student numbers at all levels," she said.