Dame Hilary Boulding, DBE FLSW (born 25 January 1957) is a British academic administrator and former media professional. Since 2017, she has been the President of Trinity College, University of Oxford. She formerly worked for the BBC and Arts Council England, and served as Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Hilary Boulding
President of Trinity College, Oxford
Assumed office
August 2017
Preceded bySir Ivor Roberts
Personal details
Born (1957-01-25) 25 January 1957 (age 67)
CitizenshipUnited Kingdom
NationalityBritish
EducationHeaton Manor School
Alma materSt Hilda's College, Oxford

Early life and education

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Boulding was born on 25 January 1957.[1] She was educated at Heaton School, a state school in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.[1] She studied music at St Hilda's College, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree.[1][2]

Career

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Media career

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Having left university, Boulding joined BBC Scotland: she worked as a television director from 1981 to 1985, and a television producer from 1985 to 1992.[1] She moved to BBC Wales, where she was Head of Arts and Music from 1992 to 1997.[1] Then, from 1997 to 1999, she was Commissioning Editor, Music (Policy) at BBC Radio 3.[1][3] In 1999, Boulding left the BBC to join the Arts Council of England as Director of Music.[1][4] The organisation was renamed Arts Council England in 2002, when the regional arts boards were merged into it.[citation needed]

Academic career

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In July 2007, Boulding was appointed the Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama (RWCMD).[5] During her time in charge, she oversaw £22.5 million of development including the building of a 450-seat concert hall and a 160-seat theatre.[6][7]

In September 2016, it was announced that Boulding had been elected as the next President of Trinity College, Oxford, in succession to Sir Ivor Roberts.[4][8] This made her the first woman in its 462-year history to head the college.[9] She took up the appointment on 1 August 2017.[3][10] She will be stepping down as president in August 2025.[11]

Personal life

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In 2015, Boulding married John Summers, the chief executive of the Halle Orchestra.[12]

Honours

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In the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, Boulding was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) "for services to education and culture in Wales", and thereby granted the title dame.[13][14]

In 2019, Boulding was elected a Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales.[15]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g "Boulding, Dame Hilary". Who's Who 2018. Oxford University Press. 1 December 2017.
  2. ^ "Dame Hilary Boulding". Trinity College. University of Oxford. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  3. ^ a b "Hilary Boulding elected next President". Trinity College. University of Oxford. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  4. ^ a b Nweze, Ebere (14 September 2016). "Hilary Boulding elected next President of Trinity College". Cherwell. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  5. ^ "New Principal of Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Appointed, News Centre". University of South Wales. 17 July 2007. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  6. ^ "£22.5m college revamp is unveiled". BBC News. 10 June 2011. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  7. ^ Snow, Georgia (16 September 2016). "Royal Welsh College's Hilary Boulding steps down after 10 years". The Stage. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  8. ^ Evans, Gareth (20 September 2016). "Head of Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to stand down". WalesOnline. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  9. ^ "RWCMD Principal Announces New Role". #RWCMD. Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama. 14 September 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  10. ^ "Trinity's New President". Trinity College. University of Oxford. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  11. ^ "Vacancies: President". Trinity College. University of Oxford. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  12. ^ Lebrecht, Norman (3 August 2015). "Orchestra manager is made an honest man". Slipped Disc. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  13. ^ "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 16 June 2017. p. B7.
  14. ^ "Damehood for Principal Hilary Boulding in Queen's Birthday Honours « #RWCMD". Retrieved 25 June 2017.
  15. ^ Wales, The Learned Society of. "Hilary Boulding". The Learned Society of Wales. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
Academic offices
Preceded by Principal of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
2007 to 2017
Succeeded by
TBA
Preceded by President of Trinity College, Oxford
2017 to present
Incumbent