With a career defined by both exceptional public service and a lifelong passion for dance, Elizabeth Honer CB is a truly inspiring leader. Her story is a powerful testament to the idea that a love for the arts can beautifully intersect with and elevate a career of strategic leadership.
Elizabeth’s journey to becoming the CEO of the Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is both unique and deeply personal. She began her career at Sadler’s Wells, a prestigious early start that instilled in her a deep appreciation for the dance world. From there, she went on to a distinguished and impactful career in the public sector, holding senior roles at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and later as CEO of a commercial agency for HM Treasury. In these roles, she led large-scale organizational transformations and engaged with stakeholders on a global level, proving herself to be a master of strategy and governance. Her exceptional contributions to public life were formally recognized when she was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours, a significant and well-deserved honor for her service.
What makes her appointment to the RAD so motivating is that it brings her professional excellence full circle to her personal passion. Elizabeth’s love for dance is not just a passing interest; she took RAD exams as a child and continues to take classes to this day. She has said that her new role “perfectly combines her love of dance with her wide-ranging and international leadership experience.” Elizabeth Honer’s story is a powerful reminder that our greatest strengths can come from the unexpected fusion of our professional skills and our deepest personal passions. Her leadership promises to not only build on the RAD’s incredible history but to also lead it into an exciting future, grounded in expertise, integrity, and a heartfelt love for the art form.
We are the Royal Academy of Dance, a world leader in dance education and training. We’ve been teaching the world to dance for over 100 years and believe passionately in its power to transform lives for the better. Through an international network of dance teachers, we support and connect a global community of more than 400,000 students, and dancers of all ages and abilities, in more than 80 countries.
The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is one of the world’s most influential dance education organizations. Founded in 1920, the RAD was established with the mission to improve the standards of dance teaching. It was formed by a group of prominent dance professionals including Adeline Genée, Phyllis Bedells, Lucia Cormani, Edouard Espinosa, and Tamara Karsavina, who sought to promote a higher standard of dance instruction.
Over the past century, the RAD has grown into a global institution with a presence in over 80 countries. It offers a comprehensive range of syllabi and examinations for students of all ages and abilities, from beginners to professional levels. The RAD’s training programs are designed to provide a strong technical foundation while encouraging creativity and artistic expression. Additionally, the Academy provides continuing professional development for teachers, ensuring that they remain at the forefront of dance education.
The RAD also organizes events, competitions, and performances that showcase the talents of its students and celebrate the art of dance. One of its most notable events is the Genée International Ballet Competition, which attracts young dancers from around the world to compete and receive scholarships and awards. Through its commitment to excellence in dance education and its global outreach, the Royal Academy of Dance continues to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of dance.
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