Mountview’s chair, Vikki Heywood, has been appointed a ‘Dame Commander’ for services to drama and the Royal Society for the Arts (RSA).
Ms Heywood, who already holds a CBE, has enjoyed a forty-year career in the arts. She has overseen the rebuilding of two national theatres, produced more than 100 world-premiere theatre productions, chaired UK-wide arts festivals, and become the only person invited to serve two terms as chair of the Royal Society for the Arts.
At Mountview she led the £30million capital campaign to build the school’s new home in Peckham.
Upon news of her new honour, Mountview’s joint chief executives Stephen Jameson and Sarah Preece said: “Vikki is an inspirational leader and a true Titan in her field.
“Her warmth, energy, empathy with our students and knowledge of running a leading organisation have been vital to Mountview becoming a leading player in the Southwark cultural scene.”
Ms Heywood’s previous roles include executive director of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2003 until 2012, joint chief executive of the Royal Court Theatre, and executive producer roles in the West End and Broadway; including for Matilda the Musical. She was awarded a CBE in 2012 for services to British theatre.