Bradford-born Sir David Wootton is to become the new chairman of Northern Ballet.

Sir David served as Lord Mayor of the City of London and elected head of the City of London Corporation from November 2011 to November 2012.

During his year as Lord Mayor, Sir David worked worldwide on behalf of the UK’s financial, professional and business services industry, leading visits to 27 countries. He was awarded a knighthood in the Queen’s 2013 New Year’s Honours list for services to legal business, charity and the City of London.

As chairman of Northern Ballet, Sir David will be the Leeds-based company’s senior ambassador, overseeing its policy and strategic direction, and will develop relationships with its Royal Patron, Prince Edward, as well as current funders and sponsors.

Sir David, a governor of Bradford Grammar School where he was also educated, has been a corporate partner at international law firm Allen & Overy LLP since 1979.

He said: “I am delighted to become chairman of Northern Ballet. I am impressed with the company's creativity, its imaginative artistic direction, its range of activities and its very competent and ambitious management.”

This year Northern Ballet presents two new productions: The Great Gatsby in March and Cinderella in December, as well as a new mixed programme of short ballets in its centre for dance in Leeds.

Chief executive Mark Skipper said: “I am delighted that, at such a critical time for the arts, our search for a chairman has resulted in somebody of Sir David’s exceptional qualities accepting the role.

“I very much look forward to working with him to ensure that Northern Ballet continues to grow as a powerhouse for inventive dance.”