Remembering David Norman, 1941-2026
The Royal Ballet School is deeply saddened to learn that David Norman, Chairman of The Royal Ballet School from 2000-2009, has died.
David Mark Norman was born on 30 January 1941 to a prominent British banking family. He attended Eton College from 1953-1959, graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Canada in 1962 and earned a Master of Business Administration from Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts in 1967. He subsequently built a career as a management consultant and entrepreneur. He married Diana Anne Sheffield in 1966, and they had four children. Diana died 10 February 2020.
In 2000, David was appointed Chairman of The Royal Ballet School, succeeding Lord Jeffrey Stirling and preceding The Duchess of Wellington. He was introduced to Frederick Ashton on the steps of the School by the then Chair of the Royal Opera House.
As Chairman, David oversaw many significant milestones, notably Upper School moving from Talgarth Road in Barons Court to Floral Street in Covent Garden in January 2003. This move fulfilled Founder Dame Ninette de Valois’s dream of having the Company and School in one unified location. In the 2002/03 Annual Report, he wrote, ‘It has been a landmark year of truly exceptional achievements. Floral Street is thriving; White Lodge is poised for rejuvenation and redevelopment.’
He led a decade of redevelopment called the ‘Reawakening of White Lodge’ culminating in £22 million of investment and enhancement. He also instated the Dance Inclusion Programme and Aim Higher in Dance projects in 2005, expanding the School’s outreach work to children from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds. These programmes provided opportunities for students, teachers and members of the public to observe classes, rehearsals and performances, with workshops for disadvantaged children and students from specialist and non-specialist schools.
In Covent Garden, David oversaw the funding and construction of the award-winning Bridge of Aspiration, designed by WilkinsonEyre, connecting the School to the Grade I listed Royal Opera House. The golden plaque next to the School entrance ‘marks the contribution of David Norman to the development of The Royal Ballet School and the construction of the Bridge of Aspiration.’ Countless students have since crossed the Bridge to perform on the Main Stage.
After ending his tenure as Chairman, David continued to generously support the School by funding The Gailene Stock Award, in memory of the former School Director and Principal dancer with The Australian Ballet. The award is given to an Upper School student in recognition of the exceptional progress made in their training during that year. This year, it was awarded to Pre-professional Year student Wendel Vieira Teles Dos Santos.
Additionally, Geoffrey R W Smith generously supports The David Norman Award, given to a graduating student who has shown leadership qualities and demonstrated good citizenship during their time at the School. This year, it was awarded to Layla Hotham.
David will be remembered for his incredible rejuvenation projects and steadfast dedication to leading the School solidly into the 21st century. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
Header image: Queen Elizabeth II, David Norman (centre) and Sir Colin Southgate cross the Bridge of Aspiration following the official opening of Upper School on 27 March 2003.
Catja Christensen is the Marketing and Communications Executive at The Royal Ballet School and joined the School in 2025. She enjoys interviewing students, staff and guest artists for news stories and crafting eye-catching newsletters.
