Louise Verill succeeds Richard Cooper, who was Chair for 9 years and stood down at the end of his last term this summer. With a legal career spanning 30 years, Louise Verill is recognised as a leading expert in her field of corporate restructuring and has been awarded accolades around the world. Her lifelong passion for the arts and particularly dance sees her hold positions on the Boards of Studio Wayne McGregor and The Grange Festival.
“I am hugely excited and thrilled to be joining the Rambert School Board. An iconic dance institution with brilliant students and staff. It is an enormous privilege to have become Chair in the centenary year and I look forward to working with the Board and Amanda Britton to deliver her exciting plans at such a challenging and critical time.” said Luise Verill. She will work closely alongside Principal and Artistic Director Amanda Britton to help continue to inspire, engage and develop world class artists, choreographers and dance practitioners. Together they will help to deliver Rambert School’s commitment to innovative and accessible dance training and work to ensure it continues to be an open, diverse and reflective school that provides a supportive, nurturing and caring environment for all. Amanda Britton, Principal & Artistic Director of Rambert School said: “All of the staff and students at Rambert School are hugely grateful to Richard Cooper for his tremendous support and for his wisdom and guidance over the past nine years. I am delighted Louise Verrill will now take up the reins as Chair of our Board of Trustees, and I really look forward to working with her in the coming months and years.”
In its centenary year Rambert School sees the launch of new initiatives including Rambert Grades, a joint venture between School and Company that provides a bespoke framework for contemporary dance training for young people on an international scale, and its first MA in Dance Research that allows dance professionals across the world to deepen their understanding of and curiosity in their art form.
Louise’s international legal career has spanned 30 years and left a global footprint in the restructuring and capital markets scene. She has had numerous roles within the profession including former President of a Regulator, the Insolvency Practitioners Association and Chair of the UK Insolvency Lawyers Association. Currently member of the Advisory Board of Christof Industries GmbH, an observer for INSOL International at United Nations, Chair of the Trustees of the Rambert School, Board member and a Trustee of Studio Wayne McGregor and The Grange Festival.
Lousie Verill has been involved in numerous high-profile assignments including most of the bank collapses 2008-2014, Bank of Ireland, Anglo Irish, Allied Irish, Northern Rock and Co-Op bank to name but a few. Other assignments include MG Rover, Enron, Lehman, Phones 4U, TXU, Powerhouse. She has been regularly recognised as a leading expert in her field being awarded accolades and speaking opportunities throughout the globe. Having left private law practice Louise is now focussing on providing support and advice to company boards in relation to restructuring and corporate development. She is also following her lifelong passion for the Arts and Philanthropy with a particular focus on ballet, dance and music, diversity and mental health.
Richard Cooper, outgoing Chair of the Board of Governors of Rambert School said:“I am extremely proud of the Rambert School – of its staff at every level, of its students and of its alums – one of the finest dance training institutions in the world. Participating in the development of the School over the years has been inspiring and I congratulate Amanda Britton and her excellent colleagues on their rigour in ensuring that, 100 years after its foundation, the School continues to be at the forefront of excellence in dance training. “I also thank my fellow trustees, past and present, for the support that they have all given to the School. Their selfless commitment and dedication is admirable and the broad range of their talents and skillsets has been, and will continue to be, key to guiding the School through the often unpredictable challenges that arise in Higher Education, and the dance industry worldwide. “I am delighted that Louise Verrill has taken over as Chair. Her palette of experience is ideal for the role and I wish her all the very best.”
