Professor Anthony Bowne, Principal of Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance (Trinity Laban) since 2010, has announced his decision to step down from the role on 31 August 2027.
In an email to staff, he said: “This academic year will be my last as Trinity Laban Principal. This is the right time to step back: our conservatoire is alive with innovative and groundbreaking plans, recruitment is strong, and we have an excellent team dedicated to transforming the lives of our students, and to proving the intrinsic social value of our artforms. Trinity Laban has been part of my life for 43 years, with 17 of those as Principal, and stepping away will be poignant for me. There have been so many moments to remember in that time, with incredible highlights including opening the Laban Building, and forming what remains one of the most unique and pioneering mergers in our sector. There has also been significant challenge, not least the COVID pandemic which opened up new ways of innovating as an online conservatoire, and the ever-changing financial and political landscape of HE. Through it all, we have remained strong, and leading Trinity Laban has been the privilege of my life.”
Professor Bowne has led Trinity Laban through nearly two decades of significant transformation and growth, positioning Trinity Laban as a world leader in the creative arts and education sectors. As Director of Laban, Anthony was one of the architects of its landmark merger with Trinity College of Music, which created Trinity Laban. He became the conservatoire’s sole Principal in 2010.
Throughout his leadership, Anthony has increased access to excellence through creative innovation, global partnerships and the delivery of many transformational campus redevelopments, as well as leading Trinity Laban through countless national and global challenges. Trinity Laban has advanced significantly as a centre for academic excellence during his tenure, including gaining Taught Degree Awarding Powers, sitting in the top 5 institutions nationally for performing arts research (2021 REF), and securing successive rounds of ‘World Leading’ premium funding. His international outlook has brought new significant partnerships such as the appointment of global music innovator AR Rahman as Honorary President, and the nascent joint campus in Beijing with Beijing Dance Academy. He has held multiple posts in the UK and abroad in the interests of advancing performing arts education, including most recently his election as deputy director general of the World Dance Education Alliance.
Alan Davey CBE, Chairman of the Board of Trinity Laban since 2020, comments: “Professor Bowne is a distinguished Principal and dedicated public servant and Trinity Laban is blessed to have had the benefit of his leadership for nearly 20 years. During this time, Anthony has overseen an extraordinary transformation at Trinity Laban, both physically and culturally, transforming our estate and our academic credentials and refining our mission for a changing world. His leadership of the institution through challenging times has ensured it has emerged stronger than ever before. Under Anthony’s leadership, Trinity Laban remains clearer than ever in its mission to redefine excellence in all its fields of endeavour, spreading opportunity for world-leading teaching and the realisation of talent wherever it emerges. In addition, he has been a constant steadying and driving force for the sector as a whole. I, the Board, the incomparable staff and all of the students who have benefitted from the superb education Trinity Laban offers, are immensely grateful for his continuing dedication and commitment.”
Professor Bowne comments: “There is much to do in this academic year, which promises to be momentous for Trinity Laban as we build our Beijing partnership, and much more. I will relish the opportunity to guide my brilliant team until August 2027, while also ensuring their smooth and positive transition into new leadership.”
There will be a global search for the next Trinity Laban Principal and consultants will be appointed to support the process.