Birmingham Royal Ballet boss to step down

Caroline Miller, the CEO of Birmingham Royal Ballet, is to step down from her role due to ill health.

The ballet company announced yesterday that Caroline will be leaving in April 2025, with deputy Paul James becoming acting CEO.

The recruitment process for a new permanent CEO will begin in the New Year.

Caroline (pictured) initially joined Birmingham Royal Ballet as interim chief executive, before talking the role permanently in December 2018.

During her tenure, BRB recruited Carlos Acosta as director and became the first company to commission new ballets during Covid (Lazuli Sky and Don Quixote).

During the pandemic, BRB was also the first company to go on tour and perform live in a ticketed theatre (The REP and Sadler's Wells) and was the only company in the world to live stream a full production of The Nutcracker.

Among the highlights of her tenure, were the commissioning, and world premiere, of Black Sabbath - The Ballet, as well as the £1million refurbishment of Sir Peter Wright’s sumptuous production of The Nutcracker.

Caroline Miller said: “Working for Birmingham Royal Ballet and having the privilege of leading the company with Carlos and Sir David Normington, has been one of the greatest honours of my life.

“I really wish I didn't have to step away at this point when so much has been achieved but also so many more opportunities lie ahead, but security of leadership and someone who can work well with Carlos and the whole team, is the most important thing for the company right now.”

Carlos Acosta said: “I was aware of the great things that Caroline had already achieved in the dance world, and so I was looking forward to working with her when I joined BRB as director in January 2020.

“Caroline more than lived up to her reputation and I could not have hoped for a finer CEO.

“Caroline is a staunch advocate for the Arts and a true champion of dance.

“Always upbeat and positive, during our time together at BRB, we have reaffirmed BRB’s position as one of the world's great ballet companies.

“I will miss her energy, can-do attitude and magic touch, not forgetting her infectious sense of humour. I wish her only good things for the next chapter of her life.”

Sir David Normington, chair of Birmingham Royal Ballet, said: “This is the news we have feared and so much did not want to hear.

“Over the last six and a half years Caroline has brought to BRB energy, passion, creativity and an unrivalled knowledge of the dance industry.

“Her partnership with Carlos Acosta has ushered in a golden period in BRB’s story. She had so much more to give and we will miss her terribly.

“On behalf of everyone at BRB, I send her our grateful thanks and deepest affection.”