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About Richard

Richard has been prominent in the dance world for over 30 years. He was the  Director of Finance and Administration for the Royal Academy of Dance, an international Dance Awarding Organisation based in London and operating in over 60 countries between 1988 and 2015, as well as  a former Chairman of the Registration Board of the Council for Dance Education and Training CDET (now Council for Dance Drama and Musical Theatre CDMT), a Director of Youth Dance England (now part of One Dance UK), a Director of the Dancers Pension Trust.(now dissolved) and  a former Trustee of  the Dancers Professional Fund. He is currently a Trustee of the Cecchetti Society Trust and bbodance. 

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During his time at the Royal Academy of Dance he lectured to students on dance education programmes, delivered business seminars to teachers, and wrote dance-related business briefings and articles for dance and business magazines. Dance into Business  was born out of his interaction with dance professionals, teachers and graduates during that time.

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Richard continues to lecture with content based on Dance into Business ®.

Richard Thom, Author of Dance into Business

Lectures

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Employment, Self-employment and Business Planning a two-hour lecture given to students studying on the four-month Professional Dancers' Teaching Diploma (PDTD), Royal Academy of Dance

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Dance Matters! a one-hour presentation providing an overview of some of the legal, planning, financial and operational issues important as a freelancer or a business owner. as part of Engaging Minds, Informing Practice University of Roehampton, a six-day course held by the Royal Academy of Dance.

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Dance Teaching as a business a two-hour lecture given to students on the Professional Placement module in the final year of the BA (Hons) Ballet Education (BABE), Royal Academy of Dance. 

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Financial Issues for Dance Schools a Dance Matters! presentation for Dance Business Lab.  based on four topics chosen in advance by those attending and structured in 20-minute segments, including 5 minutes for Q&A:

Richard Thom BA(Hons) DChA FCA FRAD

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BA(Hons) in Business and Administration, majoring in Finance from the University of Portsmouth

DChA Diploma in Charity Accounting (ICAEW)

FCA Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales

FRAD Fellow of the Royal Academy of Dance

Articles in publications

"Counting the cost of your business”

The Bulletin, Supplement to the Dance Gazette October 1991

"Starting your own business” 

The Bulletin, Supplement to the Dance Gazette June1991

“Buying and selling a School”

Dancing Times. Sept 1998

"Dance in the Desert"

AramcoExpats May 2023 

https://aramcoexpats.com/articles/life-after-aramco-dance-in-the-desert/

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Booklet for the Royal Academy of Dance

"From Ballet to Business” 1992 - 2014 annual update

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Factsheets for the Royal Academy of Dance 

“Buying and selling a School” No 1 2015

"VAT and the Dance Teacher" No 4 2015

"Insurance Professional Indemnity and Public/Products Liability" No 8 2015

"Pricing an examination" No 10 2015

Testimonials

“Drawing on over twenty-five years’ experience as the international Director of Finance of the Royal Academy of Dance, the author shares his respected professional insights and guidance on how to successfully progress a career and enterprise in the performing arts’ industry. Indeed, the book is a valuable resource for all those who want to advance the art of ‘dance into business.”

Glyndwr Jones, Director, Council for Dance, Drama and Musical Theatre (CDMT)

 

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