Deborah Bull
Ballet Category Final Judge
Deborah Bull has enjoyed a thirty-five year career in the arts. As a principal dancer with The Royal Ballet she danced the leading classical roles across the repertoire and was particularly noted for her performances in contemporary work, including William Forsythe’s Steptext, which earned her an Olivier Award nomination. She was Creative Director of the Royal Opera House for 12 years, responsible for the ROH2 programme of new art and new artists, commissioning Wayne McGregor’s first works for Royal Ballet dancers in 2001 and leading on the annual Big Screen Relays as well as the 2012 Olympic activities. In 2012, she joined King’s College London to provide leadership across the university to extend its partnerships with the cultural sector, extending her remit to become Assistant Principal (London) in 2015.
She has written and presented an extensive range of work for radio and television, including the award winning three part series, The Dancer’s Body, for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Two. Following her appearance at the Oxford Union in 1996 she is in frequent demand as speaker, writer and commentator on the arts and she is the author of four books. Board roles include Arts Council England, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Governor, judge for the Man Booker Prize and, currently, Arts & Humanities Research Council and Vice President at the British Science Association.
She has received several Honorary Doctorates and was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List, 1998.
