Interim National Director of Royal Academy of Dance Australia has been Appointed

On 2 March Rebecca Taylor, National Director of Australia will be leaving her position with the Royal Academy of Dance. At the same time, RAD begins the transition from Luke Rittner’s leadership as global Chief Executive to Tim Arthur, who takes up the position on 1 March and will take the reins completely when Mr. Rittner steps down at the end of April.

As the largest membership base outside the UK, Australia is a key region for the RAD and as such Tim has expressed a keen interest in the engagement of the new National Director. For this reason, RAD has decided to appoint an Interim National Director to provide highly skilled and steady leadership, so that Mr. Arthur can be directly involved in the recruitment process.

Head of International Operations, Léonie Locke, will be taking up the position of Interim National Director, Australia as soon as possible and with ample time for a comprehensive handover.

Léonie has been a respected member of the RAD team globally for a number of years, working closely with many national offices, including Australia, in her current role. Her close working relationship with the Australian team over the last two and half years, has provided Léonie with a solid knowledge base of the Australian business and operations, as well as excellent understanding of the challenges and opportunities RAD teachers and students in Australia are facing. Coupled with this, Léonie’s wider RAD experience will bring the Australian office closer than ever before to the global team, in a pivotal year.

Currently based in the UK, Léonie will be relocating to Sydney for a minimum of three months, to take up this position, and will be based at RAD’s Darlinghurst offices (or remotely as current Government/Health advice dictates), however, where possible she will travel to other states to ensure that the full breadth of the membership is seen and heard.

RAD Australia will be able to continue its excellent work under the stewardship of Léonie whilst the search for a permanent successor gets underway in due course.

For more information visit au.royalacademyofdance.org