The Marchioness of Douro is to succeed David Norman as Chairman of The Royal Ballet School. Lady Douro takes up the position in September 2009.

Commenting on this significant development, Director of The Royal Ballet School, Gailene Stock AM, said today:
‘We have enjoyed David’s support as a Governor for 30 years and as Chairman for a decade. During this time, the School has gone from strength to strength and completed two major redevelopment projects at its bases in Covent Garden and White Lodge, Richmond Park. These have consolidated the School’s pre-eminence as one of the world’s finest ballet schools. I thank David for his strength in realising our vision for the organisation. No-one who has come into contact with him will ever forget his passion for the School. At the same time, I am thrilled to welcome Lady Douro to the team. She brings with her a love of ballet and experience of Board memberships in other major arts organisations. We all look forward to working with her at this key moment for The Royal Ballet School’ Lady Douro was a Director of English National Ballet and Chairman of English National Ballet School in the late 1980’s. For 23 yrs she was chairman of Guinness Partnership. She is a current Trustee of The National Portrait Gallery and a Fellow of Eton College. Lady Douro lives in London.

For further information, to arrange an interview and request images, please contact:

Jim Fletcher
Development Manager, The Royal Ballet School
T: 020-7845 7074 M: 07768 455667
E: jimf@royalballetschool.co.uk