Tributes to Birmingham Royal Ballet boss Caroline Miller who has passed away after long illness

Ms Miller, a leading light in the dance industry,  was appointed boss in December 2018 after previously serving as executive director of Orlando Ballet in the United State. 

She passed away in the early hours on Saturday following a long illness and it was announced that she was stepping down on December 5.

Birmingham Royal Ballet chairman Sir David Normington said: ‘" I speak on behalf of everyone here, in great sadness, as we announce the passing  of our chief executive officer Caroline Miller OBE. We are all totally devastated by her death and at a life cut off in its prime. On a personal note I have lost not just a CEO, but a force of nature, an inspiration and a dear friend. 

"Caroline was one of the brightest and most influential figures in the UK and international dance scene, receiving the de Valois award for Outstanding Achievement from the National Dance Awards in 2015, and was awarded an OBE in 2017 for services to the arts. She brought vision and energy to her role, and helped reaffirm BRB’s position as one of the world’s great ballet companies. She championed the appointment in 2020 of Carlos Acosta CBE as the company’s Director.

"She first came to prominence in the arts world as an outstanding and passionate press officer at the Southbank Centre then at Sadler’s Wells. She became a keen supporter of dance, and after periods at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, and at Phaidon Books, she later led Dance UK as chief executive. Over  ten years, she redefined Dance UK, making it the ‘go-to’ place offering support to the entire UK dance industry, seeing through its merger with ADAD, Youth Dance England, and the National Dance Teachers Association, to become One Dance UK in 2015, facilitating its relocation to Birmingham in 2019. 

"Before joining Birmingham Royal Ballet in January 2018. Caroline was executive director of Orlando Ballet in Florida. She will be sorely missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers go to her family, wide circle of friends, and colleagues who remember her with huge affection.’

Birmingham Royal Ballet director ad dancer Carlos Acosta said: "I am lost for words and utterly saddened at the passing of our dear CEO, valued colleague and friend, Caroline Miller, as is the entire company and indeed beyond, throughout the dance industry. 

"To say she was a leading light is an understatement – she brought fantastic energy, sound advice, vision and good humour to everything she did. I worked very closely with Caroline on a daily basis leading the BRB team and I will miss this hugely.

"Her unparalleled support contributed immeasurably to the many successes we have enjoyed internationally since I became director in 2020, reaching record numbers of audiences, touring to countries entirely new to us, producing the hugely successful Black Sabbath – The Ballet and standing proudly on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, and so very much more.

"On behalf of all of us I give heartfelt thanks for her unbridled enthusiasm, dedication and loyalty. She will be remembered with much fondness by all."

Stepping down earlier this month due to a long illness Miss Miller said: "Working for Birmingham Royal Ballet and having the privilege of leading the company with Carlos and Sir David Normington, has been one of the greatest honours of my life." 

Deputy chief executive Paul James has taken the helm for the interim ahead of a new permanent chief being recruited  in the new year.