Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts has appointed Trafalgar Entertainment’s Joint CEO Dame Rosemary Squire to be the next Chairman of Mountview when the current Chairman, Dame Vikki Heywood completes her eight-year term in October of this year. Olivier Award-winning actor (for Hamilton) and Mountview alumnus Giles Terera MBE has been appointed Deputy Chairman Designate and will take over from Andrew Parker.
During her tenure as Chairman of Mountview, Vikki led the transformational £30 million capital campaign to enable the leading drama school to move from unsuitable temporary premises in Wood Green, to a new purpose-built facility in the heart of Peckham, south London.
Mountview’s Joint Chief Executives Stephen Jameson and Sarah Preece commented: “We would like to thank Vikki for her inspiring leadership. As Chairman she has driven extraordinary change at Mountview and we would like to personally thank her for her constant support and guidance. We would also like to thank Andrew Parker who brought incredible financial acumen to the Board.
“Rosemary is one of the UK’s most dynamic and successful businesspeople who, like Vikki has transformed the cultural landscape and we look forward to working closely with her and Giles to continue expanding Mountview’s work in offering access to the best training in our industry.”
Rosemary Squire said:“Mountview is one of the world’s most extraordinary performing arts institutions steeped in history and boasting an impressive alumni track record. I am delighted and honoured to be taking over the role of Chairman from Dame Vikki who has achieved some incredible triumphs during her eight-year term. As an advocate of performing arts education, I firmly believe in the provision of grass roots knowledge and professional training to help young, aspiring performers achieve their dreams. I look forward to working with Giles who will be a remarkable Deputy Chairman and alongside Stephen and Sarah as they continue to build an exciting future for Mountview.”
Giles Terera added: “Mountview has been an important part of my artistic life for 25 years, as a student through to serving on the Board. I couldn’t be happier and more excited to now have the opportunity to become Deputy Chairman, working alongside Rosemary to ensure that the great work carried out by Vikki and our brilliant executive continues, namely, providing world class training for our brilliant young artists.”
Mountview is a world-leading drama school whose mission is to deliver excellence and inclusion in dramatic training. Mountview’s new home, completed in 2018, has been shortlisted for a RIBA award and provides two theatres – the 200-seat Mountview Theatre made possible by a generous £1million donation from Sir Cameron Mackintosh and the 80-seat Backstage Theatre – the Foyle Learning Resource Centre, Weston Production Workshop, the Linbury Applied Arts Studio, 21 acting and dance studios, TV and radio suites, practice and meeting rooms and destination café bars.