CMS Cameron McKenna expands European partnership with English National Ballet
09.06.2008
International law firm, CMS Cameron McKenna has become a European Partner of English National Ballet. The firm has been an active supporter of English National Ballet since 2006.
Craig Hassall, Managing Director of English National Ballet said, “It is thrilling to have the ongoing support of CMS Cameron McKenna. The firm continues to demonstrate a creative and thoughtful commitment to English National Ballet and is helping us to continue our mission to bring ballet of the highest quality to as many people as possible”.
Duncan Weston, Managing Partner for CMS Cameron McKenna, commented, “At the heart of our relationship with English National Ballet lie some surprisingly close parallels. We are both world-class organisations operating in highly competitive international markets. Trust, discipline and stretch are vital ingredients for success in our businesses. We are both building strong brands in Europe based on a detailed knowledge of audience or client requirements and delivering the best quality performance to them. There is a huge amount that business can learn from the arts.
“I was delighted, therefore, that Craig Hassall and Wayne Eagling from English National Ballet together with two of their senior principal dancers could join the leadership of my firm at a week-long conference and strategic development event in May, held at IMD Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland. Their creative input into some of our discussions was enormously valuable.
“Our partnership is far deeper than just providing funding. Our staff, clients and the various community and educational schemes that we also support, have exclusive access to English National Ballet and its valuable facilities. Alongside access to its fantastic performances, English National Ballet will provide health and posture workshops, and create an inspiring school and mentoring programme.”
Among extensive past collaborations, both organisations have worked together on two ground-breaking ballet performances.
In July 2007, CMS hosted a number of exclusive events around English National Ballet’s performances of Swan Lake at the Château de Versailles. These events attracted 150 clients and contacts from across the firm’s extensive office network in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) and was a celebration of CMS’ sponsorship of the role of Odette. With performances over three nights, the production was staged against the spectacular backdrop of the Château de Versailles, with the dancers performing on a floating stage on the Bassin de Neptune.
In September 2006, CMS Cameron McKenna hosted a unique ballet performance under the spectacular dome of St Paul’s Cathedral in London. The performance by principal dancers included music by Tchaikovsky, Astor Piasolla and Ludwig Minkus. The programme was specially created for the event.
English National Ballet was established in the 1950s and has become one of the world’s great ballet companies, with over 60 dancers and a full orchestra. The original vision for the Company was to take classical ballet of the highest quality to the widest geographical audience, at a price everyone can afford. This remains the cornerstone of the Company’s philosophy today.
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