News

Trinity Laban is thrilled to announce that Director of Strategy and Business Operations Jonathan Peel (pictured) has been awarded an MBE in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to Higher Education.

Jonathan has worked at Trinity Laban for over 30 years, joining as a junior payroll clerk in 1989. In that time he has held a number of roles at the institution, including Head of HR. In his current role, he has responsibility for overseeing strategic projects and most recently the Conservatoire’s response to Covid-19.

Principal Professor Anthony Bowne comments –

“Jonathan is integral to the ongoing success of Trinity Laban and a colleague well-loved and respected by all. Through his leadership, we have weathered the Covid-19 pandemic in a way that has ensured that students and staff alike are informed, supported and protected while maintaining world class teaching and learning. We are extremely proud that he is receiving this Honour from Her Majesty in recognition of that leadership, and of the countless contributions he has made to Trinity Laban.”

Jonathan Peel MBE comments –

“I would like to thank my brilliant colleagues, without whom my Honour would not be possible. I am very proud to work at Trinity Laban alongside fantastic, committed people. Over the past year we have all worked extremely hard against major challenges, and I have been humbled by our shared determination and resilience. Thank you to you all.”

In the early 2000s, Jonathan played a key role in the merger of Trinity College of Music with Laban, leading the transition on behalf of TCM to bring both institutions together to form Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance. He has led a number of major strategic projects including the £3m transformation of the Blackheath Halls concert venue, which serves as a major community arts centre in South East London.

Jonathan is also the founder of Generous Records, songwriter and producer of ‘Let the Music Give’. Jonathan is particularly passionate about giving something back through the music he writes and the projects he creates.

Also recognised in this year’s Honours are alumni Emma Gladstone and John Heath Summers who have been awarded an OBE for services to Dance and services to Music and Education respectively.

Emma completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Community Dance in 1985 at Trinity Laban before performing with Transitions Dance Company. After graduating, she co-founded Adventures in Motion Pictures with Matthew Bourne and David Massingham. Emma has served as Associate Director at The Place Theatre, Artistic Producer and Programmer at Sadler’s Wells and Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Dance Umbrella. Emma now focuses on specific areas of programming including talent development projects in the UK and Europe, while continuing as Chair at Siobhan Davies Studios, and in Trustee positions at Aesop and Dartington Hall Trust.

John studied cello at Trinity College of Music (now Trinity Laban), graduating with LTCL in 1973. He served as Chief Executive Officer of the Manchester-based Hallé Orchestra for over 20 years, retiring in July 2020. He also serves as a member of the Board of the Association of British Orchestras and has worked as Lead Adviser for Music to the Arts Council of England.