Having undertaken a journey spanning 24 years of extraordinary artistry, Mr. Akram Khan emerges as a revered figure in the realm of global dance. The bedrock of his artistic identity rests on the Indian classical dance form Kathak as an intrinsic layer alongside his background in contemporary dance forms. His work is widely recognised for its emotional depth, seamlessly blending intimacy and magnificence curating a diverse and impactful repertoire, he has created renowned productions such as Jungle Book reimagined, Outwitting the Devil, XENOS, Until the Lions, and Kaash.

Mr. Khan's choreography at the London 2012 Olympic Games opening ceremony stands out as a universally acclaimed achievement, demonstrating his ability to captivate audiences on a grand scale. As an instinctive and natural collaborator, he has been a magnet for world-class artists and companies across a range of cultures and disciplines, including the National Ballet of China. As a choreographer, he has developed a close collaboration with the English National Ballet. Mr. Khan’s piece Dust, created for the Lest We Forget programme, led to an invitation to craft his highly acclaimed interpretation of the iconic romantic ballet Giselle.

Mr. Khan has received numerous awards throughout his career including the Laurence Olivier Award, the Bessie Award, the ISPA Distinguished Artist Award, the Fred and Adele Astaire Award, the Herald Archangel Award, the South Bank Sky Arts Award and ten Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards for his company, Akram Khan Company. In 2005, Mr. Khan was awarded an MBE for services to dance. His dedication to arts and education is further demonstrated by his installation in 2022 as the chancellor of De Montfort University, along with recognition as an honorary graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, University of London as well as Roehampton and De Montfort Universities, and an honorary fellow of Trinity Laban.

Through an enduring partnership with the Leisure and Cultural Services Department in Hong Kong, Mr. Khan has showcased multiple outstanding productions in this city, leaving a lasting impact both globally and within the local community. Mr. Khan has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of dancers by offering internship programmes to the Academy’s students. In 2021, his company selected eight students for an internship in London following a 3-day audition at the Academy. As keynote speaker at the SWEAT Hong Kong International Dance Festival, hosted by the Academy in 2022, he shared his expertise and insights with the Academy community and international participants. For the 2023/24 academic year, his company extended internships in Singapore and Macau to students of the Academy’s School of Dance, enriching the educational mission with performance opportunities and international exposure.

Mr. Khan's longstanding association with and support for the Academy, demonstrated through his active participation in its endeavours, advocacy for educational goals, and significant contributions to the performing arts, establish him as a role model and a respected figure for aspiring artists.