Appointment of New Chairman to Birmingham Royal Ballet Board

03 December 2008

Birmingham Royal Ballet is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Michael Clarke CBE DL, former Vice Principal of Birmingham University, as its Chairman designate.

The appointment follows the retirement of Birmingham Royal Ballet's current Chair, Tessa King-Farlow who will step down in March 2009.

Professor Michael Clarke retired as Vice Principal of the University of Birmingham at the end of September 2008, a post which he has held since January 2003 and was previously Pro-Vice Chancellor with responsibility for the University's external relations (a portfolio he kept until his retirement).

Commenting on the appointment, Christopher Barron, Chief Executive of Birmingham Royal Ballet said:

'We are delighted to welcome Professor Clarke as Chair designate of the Birmingham Royal Ballet to succeed Tessa King-Farlow. Professor Clarke's senior role at Birmingham University and his knowledge of the West Midlands in general are first class credentials for the position of Chair of a company which recognises the importance of the community it is based in and the international context in which it works.'

Professor Clarke said:

'It is a tremendous honour and privilege to be appointed the Chair of Birmingham Royal Ballet, one of the most creative and industrious ballet companies in the country. I look forward to watching the Company continue to provide world class entertainment to audiences and forging partnerships and promoting excellence within arts communities and beyond.'

Notes for Editors
Professor Michael Clarke came to Birmingham to be head of the School of Public Policy. For the previous 18 years, he had been outside the University sector; first working in local government in Scotland and then moving to be Chief Executive, successively, of the Local Government Training Board and the Local Government Management Board. Michael had begun his career teaching Politics at the University of Edinburgh.

He has represented the University in a wide variety of organisations in Birmingham and the region, in public, business and voluntary sectors, so giving him extensive networks and contacts. He will remain a non-executive member of the Government Office of the West Midlands board and the Regional Assembly and has just been appointed Chair of the new Regional Marketing Board.

Michael lives in Worcester and is active in various parts of Worcestershire life. He is also a Lay Canon and member of Chapter at Worcester Cathedral and a member of the General Synod of the Church of England.

In the Arts field, he was a Trustee of the Ikon Gallery, is a Trustee of the Elgar Foundation and has recently joined the Trustees of the Barber Institute. He is a Patron of the Worcester Festival Choral Society, and a lover of classical music, opera and, of course, ballet.

ENDS

For further press information please contact:
Simon Harper on 0121 245 3562; Email: SimonHarper@brb.org.uk

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