Clare Connor has been Chief Executive of The Place and London Contemporary Dance School since 2017.
During that time, she has taken the organisation through its ambitious 50th Anniversary creating a new transformative ten-year vision for a “world with more dance” to leverage growth, increasing turnover by a third.
Under her leadership, London Contemporary Dance School (LCDS) became an independent Higher Education Provider, receiving “World-leading specialist provider status” from Office for Students in recognition of its innovation and leadership globally. At the forefront of the public programmes is a co-designed artistic model focused on the presentation, production and touring independent artists with a deliberate emphasis on audience engagement with contemporary dance. This expanded model includes touring to rural communities and outdoor festivals alongside venue-based touring, international programmes and hyperlocal community-based participation with access, ambition and well-being at their heart.
In 2018, Clare was named 'one of the most influential people in dance in London' in the Evening Standard’s Progress 1000, and in 2024 she was awarded the Freedom of the City of London, nominated by the City of London, Mayor.
Clare’s career in the performing arts and education sectors spans over 25 years and includes Director of Business Development at the Southbank Centre where she was responsible for large scale capital fundraising and international partnerships, Director of Stratford Circus Arts Centre where she co-founded the thriving national network, Future Arts Centres and as a lecturer and teacher of dance in schools, communities, colleges and Higher Education. She is also an LCDS alumna having been first-in-family to university.
Clare is currently a trustee for Sadler’s Wells where she Chairs the Learning Committee; an advisor for the Sir Robert Cohan Legacy Community Interest Company; and an Executive Group member of GuildHE where she also serves as an advisor for the Climate Action Group with Universities UK.