Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp is a dance artist and Chief Executive of The Place. Born in London to English and Nigerian parents, he trained at London Contemporary Dance School. His 25-year performing career included working with London Contemporary Dance Theatre (1981–1994) and Arc Dance Company (1994–2005). He has worked extensively as a choreographer, teacher and director and as Lead Artist & Artistic Advisor for The Royal Ballet School’s Dance Partnership & Access Programme and Assistant to the Head of Contemporary Dance at Millennium Dance 2000. With composer Simon Redfern he co-founded Artyfartyarts, a multi disciplinary arts group, and he is on the Board of Trustees at the Royal Opera House. In 2003, he was awarded an OBE for services to dance, and he undertook a NESTA funded Fellow on the Clore Leadership Programme in 2005/6.[1] He was appointed Chief Executive of The Place in June 2007.[2]