Northern Ballet role for former City Lord Mayor

Sir David Wootton, a former Lord Mayor of the City of London, has been named as the new chairman of Northern Ballet.
David WoottonDavid Wootton
David Wootton

Bradford-born Sir David has been a long-standing supporter of charitable, community and cultural activities.

He served as Lord Mayor of the City of London from November 2011 to November 2012.

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As chairman, Sir David will be Northern Ballet’s senior ambassador, and he will have responsibility for overseeing the company’s policy and strategic direction

Northern Ballet’s chief executive, Mark Skipper, said: “I am delighted that, at such a critical time for the arts, our search for a chair has resulted in somebody of Sir David’s exceptional qualities accepting the role.

“I very much look forward to working with him to ensure that Northern Ballet continues to grow as a powerhouse for inventive dance.”

A spokesman said that Sir David’s appointment came at a “very exciting and challenging time for Northern Ballet”.

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In 2013 the company will create two new full-length ballets: The Great Gatsby in March and Cinderella in December; as well as presenting a new mixed programme of short ballets in its centre for dance in Leeds.

Sir David has been a corporate partner at Allen & Overy since 1979.

The international law firm is headquartered in London and has offices in 28 other countries. Sir David specialises in corporate finance and, in particular, mergers and acquisitions, IPOs, public and private takeovers, joint ventures and corporate governance.

During his time as Lord Mayor, Sir David was given a year’s sabbatical from Allen & Overy. On returning to work, he has been appointed as a regional ambassador for the firm.

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Sir David said “I am delighted to become chair of Northern Ballet. I am impressed with the company’s creativity, its imaginative artistic direction, its range of activities and its very competent and ambitious management. I look forward to meeting everyone involved and contributing to the company’s development, regionally, nationally and internationally.”

Sir David is chair of the Trustees of the Charles Dickens Museum, Music Patron of St Paul’s Cathedral and a governor of several educational institutions.