Royal Ballet School artistic director to step down after decade

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Christopher Powney. Photo: Ludovic des Cognets

Christopher Powney is to step down as artistic director and chief executive of the Royal Ballet School after 10 years in the position.

Powney, who will depart in July when his second five-year term comes to an end, said he felt it was the "right time" to hand over to someone new.

The former artistic director of the Dutch National Ballet Academy has danced with Northern Ballet, English National Ballet and Rambert Dance Company, and first joined the Royal Ballet School’s teaching staff in 2000.

After time spent working abroad, Powney returned to lead the school in 2014.

A release by the Royal Ballet School, founded in 1926, hailed his "steadfast leadership" during the Covid-19 pandemic and its lockdowns – a period of time in which the normally residential institution provided virtual training to pupils.
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In a statement announcing his departure, Powney said: "It has been my honour and pleasure to return to the Royal Ballet School as its artistic director for the past 10 years.

"It has been incredible and I feel so fortunate to have worked with so many talented young dancers who have gone on to enjoy exceptional careers. They have consistently inspired me. Additionally, I have been privileged to work alongside a team of immensely dedicated colleagues. I wish to thank them for sharing my curiosity and drive, leading us to collectively elevate and progress our training culture.

"However, I believe now is the right time for me to hand over to someone who will build on what has been achieved during my tenure and bring in fresh ideas to ensure the school remains at the forefront of international ballet training. I want to wish the Royal Ballet School, its governors, staff and students every success for its exciting future."

Christopher Rodrigues, chair of governors, said: "Christopher has done an extraordinary job over the last 10 years. We thank him for his immense input, his experience and wisdom.

"There is no doubt that he has helped secure the Royal Ballet School’s place on the world stage and has been at the forefront of driving innovation and transforming the student experience, which has changed beyond recognition in the last decade."

The school’s statement praised Powney’s oversight on more than 40 initiatives designed to improve student experience, including the mental health-oriented Healthy Dancer programme.

The issue of well-being at the establishment and its contemporaries, including Elmhurst Ballet School in Birmingham, came under the spotlight in September last year, after allegations of body shaming and bullying.

The BBC Panorama investigation spoke to more than 50 ex-students of the Royal Ballet and Elmhurst schools, with many saying they had developed eating disorders during their training – although both schools disputed these claims.