Vikki Heywood CBE has been newly appointed as Chairman of Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Heywood, Producer of the critically acclaimed Matilda, and Executive Director of the Royal Shakespeare Company (2003-2012), hopes to build upon the achievements of Sandy Orr OBE, who recently stood down from the prestigious post. The “delighted” Heywood will be steering the Academy’s move from Wood Green, Haringey, to a refurbished Hornsey Town Hall and endeavours to ensure that the challenging, yet visionary, plans to re-locate come to fruition. Impressed by Mountview’s recent development, Heywood adds: “it will be a privilege and a pleasure to be involved in taking the Academy forward to the next exciting phase of its work.”

Her delight is met by Sue Robertson, Mountview’s Principal, who has acknowledged Heywood’s wealth of experience and commitment to drama training: “Her insight, vision and leadership will help ensure Mountview’s continued growth and success.” And she’s not wrong. Heywood’s reputation is built upon a history of successes, including a significant period of growth for the RSC and the redevelopment of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre. Consequently, this Honorary Doctor and CBE, is set to be an exceptional role-model for Mountview’s 400 students.

Vikki Heywood will formally take up her position on the elite board in March and, heralded by The Stage newspaper as one of the four most influential people in British Theatre, there is little doubt that Heywood’s appointment will be anything other than valuable to the highly respected academy.

-EH