We were delighted to see Peter Wilson awarded an OBE for Services to Classical Ballet in the New Years Honours List for 2022. We extend our warmest congratulations to Peter for this greatly deserved honour.

A generous supporter of the School

Peter has long been a hugely influential supporter of classical ballet, after first seeing Anya Linden (now Lady Sainsbury) dancing in Sylvia in 1959. He has been a generous supporter of The Royal Ballet School for over 20 years, regularly attending School performances and taking a great personal interest in the students and their journeys. The School is especially grateful for his longstanding support for two of our choreographic programmes: the Ursula Moreton Emerging Choreographer, for Upper School 2nd Year students; and the Ninette de Valois Emerging Choreographer, in which White Lodge students from Years 7, 8 and 9 take part.

Supporting dancers and dance teachers

Peter has worked for many years to support dancers and dance teachers throughout their training and careers, generously giving his time and great kindness to countless individuals. He became secretary to The Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund in 1975 and managed the fund until he retired in 2001. He also established the Dance Teachers’ Benevolent Fund in 1978, which was integrated with The Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund (now the Dance Professionals Fund) in 2016. In 2018 he was awarded a gold medal by the Royal Ballet, where he was Honorary Secretary from 1989 to 2020, to honour his passion, dedication and generosity to the art form.

Congratulations to all who were honoured

We also offer our congratulations to all in the dance community who have been recognised in the 2022 New Year’s Honours List. These include Alistair Spalding, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Sadler’s Wells, who has been awarded a Knighthood for Services to Dance. We are delighted to see the wonderful work of many in our sector being honoured.