Mountview congratulates chairman Vikki Heywood on becoming a Dame

Mountview congratulates its chairman Vikki Heywood, CBE on being appointed Dame Commander, which has been awarded for services to drama and the RSA.

Vikki Heywood has enjoyed a forty-year career in the arts overseeing the rebuilding of two national theatres, producing more than 100 world-premiere theatre productions, chairing UK-wide arts festivals and is the only person invited to serve two terms as chairman of the Royal Society for the Arts. As well as being Mountview’s chairman Vikki Heywood is currently chairman of Festival UK 2022, is a board member of the National Theatre and a trustee of the Foyle Foundation. Vikki has just completed being chairman of 14-18 NOW – a £50 million programme of First World War Centenary arts commissions that reached over 35 million people in the UK.

At Mountview Vikki led a £30million capital campaign to build a new home in Peckham, including two theatres, 23 acting, dance and TV studios, scenic workshops, plus professional rehearsal facilities and commercial spaces. As part of the campaign, theatre producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh announced a gift of £1 million to Mountview to ensure the completion of its new state-of-the-art home.

Mountview is one of the most inclusive drama schools in the UK and a powerhouse of the UK drama training world with graduates in 70% of shows in London’s West End. Under Vikki’s leadership Mountview has demonstrated its commitment to ensuring access to training for all, especially people currently underrepresented in the arts.

Mountview’s joint CEOs Stephen Jameson and Sarah Preece commented: “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 UK cultural scene.”

Stephen Daldry with whom Vikki co-led the Royal Court Theatre added: “Vikki Heywood is one of this country’s foremost artistic leaders. I am thrilled that her vision, generosity and commitment to the cultural life of the nation has been recognised and celebrated.  Vikki is a force for good and I congratulate her whole-heartedly.”

As well as her previous role at the RSA (from which she retired in 2018), Vikki was Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2003 until 2012, and before that Joint Chief Executive of the Royal Court Theatre. She has also been an executive producer in the West End and Broadway, including Matilda the Musical. Past roles include board membership of the Society of London Theatre, the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, Warwick University and Chairman of the highly influential Warwick Commission on the Future of Cultural Value.

Vikki was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Birmingham, becoming a Doctor of Letters in December 2009 and was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2012 for services to theatre.