Staff
Principal - Sue Robertson
Sue Robertson took up the post of Principal of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, one of the country’s leading drama schools, in August 2008, following five years as Dean of the School of Arts at City University, London.
In her role at City, Sue was Professor of Professional Arts and Education and Foundation Dean of a newly-created School bringing together the University’s renowned Departments of Cultural Policy and Management; Journalism and Publishing; Music: and Education and Lifelong Learning along with the Centre for Language Studies.
She has extensive professional experience in arts policy and management as Chief Executive of London Arts, the arts funding and development agency for the capital (Jan 1996 – Dec 2001) and Executive Director of Southern Arts (1993 – 1996).
She is currently Vice Chair of SohoTheatre, a member of the Board of the Barbican, and a member of the Council of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. She has also been a member of the Board of the young people’s theatre company, Theatre Centre, and served on the Olivier Awards Judging Panel in 2003 and 2008.
From 1986 Sue was Director of Education Programmes and a member of the Senior Management Team at the South Bank Centre where she set up and managed a ground-breaking education programme involving some of the world’s greatest artists and performers as well as young, talented and creative individuals from London and throughout the country. From 1980 to 1986, she worked at the (then) Arts Council of Great Britain where, as Senior Education Officer, she was responsible for drawing up and implementing the Council’s first education policy and strategy.
Sue started her professional life as a teacher of English and Drama at a comprehensive school in Bracknell in Berkshire where she was also Founding Director of the Youth Theatre at South Hill Park Arts Centre. She has an Honours Degree in English and Related Literature from the University of York; a Postgraduate Certificate in Education from the University of Nottingham, and a Diploma in Arts Administration from City University. In 2003 she was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Deputy Principal & Academic Registrar - William Harris
Prior to joining Mountview in September 2011, William was Director of Theatre Arts Programmes at Middlesex University
He had responsibility for leadership, delivery and quality assurance of a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate drama programmes at Middlesex and for the validation and partnership arrangements for a number of specialist programmes at a range of colleges including Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Included in his portfolio of responsibilities was the BA Theatre Production Arts at Mountview. William has previously taught at the University of Glasgow, Worcester University, Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and Rose Bruford College as well as the Belarusian State University and University of Liege.
He has extensive experience as an External Examiner in a number of Universities throughout the UK and has contributed to the development of courses in the UK and Europe. His research interests include approaches to actor training and processes of translation for staging. William has a first class degree from Middlesex Polytechnic and an M.Phil from the University of Glasgow. He has also worked in the theatre industry as a director, actor and producer.
Director of Finance and Resources - Yusuf Lunat
After graduating in Accountancy from Huddersfield University, Yusuf qualified as a Chartered Certified Accountant with Macintyre Hudson, Chartered Accountants.
Yusuf spent 10 years in the profession during which time he was managing a portfolio of clients of all sizes from various industries. He then moved into industry as a Financial Controller of a large hotel and property company and later on as a Finance and Operations Director of medium size Consultancy companies.
Yusuf has had significant experience on all financial issues.
Director of Production - Andy Franks
Andy has strong links with Mountview, having trained here and later worked as Head of Construction.
After graduating he worked as scenic carpenter, then master carpenter for the Redgrave Theatre, Farnham and then as a freelance scenic carpenter at Manchester, Worcester, Nottingham and London. He has also produced scenery and special effects for many tourist attractions in the UK and Europe. Prior to returning to Mountview, he worked as Production Manager at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester.
Andy has a wealth of experience in production and also Health and Safety.
