Sir Roger Carr to become Chair of English National Ballet

Sir Roger will work closely alongside Executive Director Patrick Harrison and Artistic Director Tamara Rojo CBE as we prepare to move to our new home at London City Island in Canning Town East London, a new neighbourhood from EcoWorld Ballymore.

Sir Roger Carr said:

“I am delighted to become Chair of English National Ballet at this exciting time in its development and look forward to working closely with its excellent management team and outstanding Artistic Director. It is a role that I consider to be both a privilege and a pleasure.”

Sir Roger has held many senior appointments in public life including Chairman of Centrica PLC, Vice-Chairman of the BBC Trust, Deputy Chairman and Senior Independent Director of the Court of the Bank of England, President of the Confederation of British Industry and Chairman of Cadbury PLC.

He is currently Chairman of BAE Systems PLC. He is a fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of the Arts, Manufacturers & Commerce, a Companion of the Institute of Management, an Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators and a Visiting Fellow of Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. He was knighted for Services to Business in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours list 2011.

He succeeds Justin Bickle who, as previously announced, steps down as Chair following his relocation to Dublin and new role as Co-Founder and CEO of Irish homebuilder, Glenveagh Properties PLC.

Patrick Harrison, our Executive Director, said:

“We are truly thankful to Justin for his tireless work and dedication to English National Ballet. During his time as Chair he has overseen and played an integral part in some of our most significant moments including the successful search to secure a new purpose-built home in East London.”

“We are very pleased that Sir Roger will be joining the Company as our new Chair, and we look forward to working with him as we start this new chapter in the Company’s history and embark on our transformational move. We will work closely with Sir Roger to continue to be at the forefront of excellence, by pushing the boundaries and possibilities of our art form, and presenting world-class ballet to audiences up and down the country and around the world.”

Sir Roger Carr joins the Board as Chair elect on 20 September and takes up the position as Chair soon thereafter. Current Vice-Chair, Grenville Turner, has been appointed interim Chair of the Board of Trustees.

The Trustees thank Justin Bickle for his exceptional contribution to English National Ballet. They are delighted that he has agreed to continue his work as a member of the London City Island Project Steering Board sub-committee, responsible for overseeing the Company’s move to East London.