Royal Academy of Dance welcomes new chief executive

ELIZABETH HONER has been appointed chief executive of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD), succeeding TIM ARTHUR, who stood down from the role at the end of 2024.

Honer, who takes up post from 21 January, has worked in many leadership roles including CEO of an HM Treasury commercial agency and a director at the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

In the charity sector, she has held trusteeships at the Vision Foundation and the Dartington International Summer School Foundation.

She was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2024 King’s Birthday honours and is a member of the RAD’s Finance Committee as well as a participant in RAD dance classes.

RAD chair STEPHEN MOSS said, “After a comprehensive search, we saw that Elizabeth’s blend of experience, her love of dance and her strong financial and strategic skills made her the standout candidate.

“Elizabeth is excited to be taking forward the development of our new strategy that was initiated by her predecessor Tim Arthur.”

Honer added, “I am thrilled to take up the role as chief executive of the Royal Academy of Dance. The RAD is dear to my heart, having taken RAD exams as a child and continuing to participate to this day.

“The RAD has an exciting future ahead and I look forward to leading the organisation’s new strategy and build on our incredible history.”