The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) aspires to highest standards of corporate governance and seeks to embed best practice in a series of policies that apply to its staff, freelancers and contractors. Some of our key corporate policies are summarised below.
The Royal Ballet and Opera unreservedly condemns modern slavery and human trafficking wherever in the world it occurs and is committed to a zero-tolerance approach by continuously improving its practices in relation to every part of its business as well as its supply chain.
The Royal Ballet and Opera is required to publish annually, on its website, its activities over the latest financial year aimed towards the eradication of modern slavery and human trafficking. This is our ninth annual statement.
During the 2024/25 Season we have continued to be vigilant with our supply chain, both new and existing suppliers.
Operational Activities:
Training and communication activities:
Ensuring effectiveness in the future
Plans for the coming year include:
View or download: Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement 2025.
The Royal Ballet and Opera Safeguarding approach is in two strands. The first protects children, young people and adults at risk; and the second protects staff and artists (paid or unpaid) from Bullying and Harassment.
The Royal Ballet and Opera Safeguarding Policy for Children, Young People and Adults at Risk sets out our commitment to protecting the safety and welfare of children, young people and adults who require care and support; ensuring that our members of staff are kept informed and supported and adhere to effective procedures for recording and responding to complaints and alleged or suspected incidents of abuse. The Royal Ballet and Opera operates within the City of Westminster safety guidelines for children in stage performances. The HR Director has primary responsibility for Safeguarding within their management responsibilities. They are supported in this role by the Safeguarding Manager. The HR Director chairs the bi-annual Safeguarding Committee, which oversees and reviews the policy and procedures.
These are supported by the following procedures and guidelines:
All individuals have the right to work without fear of harassment or abuse, whether on the grounds of sex, race or colour, disability, sexual orientation, age, religion, trade union membership or duties or indeed any ground. It is the Royal Ballet and Opera policy to make every effort to provide a working environment free of harassment and intimidation. Harassment may constitute unlawful behaviour. It is also improper and inappropriate behaviour that lowers morale and interferes with work effectiveness. It makes the work environment threatening. Such behaviour is unwelcome and unacceptable. It is against the policies of the Royal Ballet and Opera for an employee to harass another employee. Such conduct will not be condoned or tolerated. Whilst the implementation of the policy is the duty of the managers and supervisors, all employees are expected to comply with this policy and take appropriate measures to ensure that such conduct does not occur. Appropriate disciplinary action, including dismissal for serious offences, will be taken against any employee who violates this policy.
View or download Bullying and harassment policy and procedures (PDF 167.0 KB)
Policy last updated May 2024
Hotline: 0808 196 5761
The Royal Ballet and Opera encourages all members of staff to raise any concerns that they may have about the conduct of others in the organisation in relation to any suspected instances of fraud, misconduct or wrongdoing. This policy sets out the Royal Ballet and Opera’s position in these matters and lays out a procedure for individuals to raise any concerns and how those concerns will be dealt with. The procedure applies to all employees, casual staff, contractors and freelance staff.
This policy applies to Trustees, the Executive team and senior managers with procurement responsibilities and/or in receipt of hospitality and gifts. Trustees and senior staff of the Royal Ballet and Opera must ensure that their personal or business interests outside work do not conflict with those of the Royal Ballet and Opera. Accordingly we ask trustees and senior staff to declare their interests (and any gifts or hospitality received over £50) in connection with their role in the Royal Ballet and Opera. A declaration of interests form is provided for this purpose and the declaration of interests form needs is updated annually.
The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide clear guidance for the prevention and detection of fraud to ensure that the assets of the Royal Ballet and Opera are safeguarded. The Royal Ballet and Opera encourages a culture of honesty, reliability and trustworthiness throughout the organization and is committed to ensuring that opportunities for fraud are minimized.
This policy set out the steps taken by the Royal Ballet and Opera to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees and visitors to its premises, in according the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. To this end the Royal Ballet and Opera requires all visitors to comply with its House Rules and accepted codes of conduct. In terms of governance, the Health and Safety Committee provides the formal forum for consultation on health and safety matters with the recognised Trade Unions. It is supported by the Health and Safety Management Group, which directs the programme of health and safety activity within the organisation.
The Royal Ballet and Opera Board of Trustees oversees the direction and control of the Royal Ballet and Opera, including the active management of health and safety. The Board ensures that there is a sufficient budget allocation to put the organisation’s Health and Safety Policy into practice and is committed to encouraging a positive health and safety culture, which is visible throughout the organisation.
The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide clear guidance for the prevention and detection of bribery and corruption in the Royal Ballet and Opera. The Anti-Bribery and Corruption Policy applies to all staff, artists, casuals, freelancers, contractors or sub-contractors working for or on behalf of the Royal Ballet and Opera, or when working with third parties for or on behalf of the RBO. We recognise that an act of bribery or corruption is illegal, under the Bribery Act, 2010. It is our policy to conduct all of our business in an honest and ethical manner and we are committed to ensuring adherence to the highest legal and ethical standards, implementing and enforcing systems to counter bribery and corruption.
The Royal Ballet and Opera is grateful for all funding received in furtherance of its charitable objects.
The Royal Ballet and Opera is committed to following fundraising best practice and the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice. The Royal Ballet and Opera undertakes to comply with relevant law and regulations, including the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 and the Bribery Act 2010, data protection law, tax and Gift Aid legislation and Charity Commission guidance, as well as its own corporate policies.
Ultimate responsibility for accepting or declining funding lies with the Board of Trustees, as the Royal Ballet and Opera's governing body. The Board has a duty to act at all times in the best interests of the Royal Ballet and Opera as a charity, including when deciding whether to accept or decline offers of funding. The Royal Ballet and Opera has established policies and procedures on the acceptance of funds and may conduct due diligence research on prospective sources of funding (including individuals). While each case is considered individually, funding will be declined where it might cause the Royal Ballet and Opera to breach its legal obligations or be detrimental to the achievement of the Royal Ballet and Opera's charitable purposes.
Should the Board determine to decline support it would follow Charity Commission Guidance, and where appropriate seek Charity Commission advice.
Ultimate responsibility for the rejection, acceptance and return of funding lies with the Board of Trustees. Day-to-day responsibility for assessing potential donations and corporate partnerships for compliance and risk is delegated to the Development and Advocacy team who report to the Board on a regular basis. A sub-committee of the Board, the Donation and Income Acceptance Committee, is responsible for monitoring compliance with the Board’s policy on accepting funds.
The Donation and Income Acceptance Committee comprises:
The RBO regularly engages with other charities via venue hire or in some cases in joint fundraising activities. The legal position is that a charity can only use its funds for the purposes that are laid out in its governing document (ie the charitable objects). The Royal Ballet and Opera’s Charitable objects are very broadly performances (of all types), education (to increase the appreciation of opera and ballet) and publishing material relating to those performances all in relation to arts in the UK.
The Royal Ballet and Opera cannot fundraise for charities with different charitable objects although it is possible to jointly fundraise or put on activities with another charity if that it will be an effective way of using Royal Ballet and Opera resources to further its charitable purposes. As the Royal Ballet and Opera’s charitable objects are to promote the arts in the UK we would not work with charities with an international remit other than in exceptional circumstances.
Final decisions may be referred to the Board. Where appropriate the Board may seek external advice, including from the Charity Commission.
Any data collation will be carried out in full compliance of the Data Protection Act 2018 and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This includes maintaining confidentiality and keeping information for time limited periods. Fundraising communications will be conducted in accordance with the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 and any applicable direct marketing guidance issued by the ICO or Fundraising Regulator.
For further information on how we process personal data, including prospect due diligence, managing contact with donors and the impact of new legislation, please see the RBO Privacy policy.
The Royal Ballet and Opera is committed to best practice in the procurement of goods and services, and has particular obligations in this regard as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organization. This policy sets out the principles which the Royal Ballet and Opera seeks to adhere to in procurement activities, including pursuing Value for Money (VfM), promoting environmental and social sustainability, encouraging transparent and fair competition, and adhering to ethical standards.
This policy ensures that the Royal Ballet and Opera Group has a clear expenses framework that balances consistency with the flexibility to meet the employee and the Royal Ballet and Opera Group’s needs. It is the Royal Ballet and Opera’s intention that employees should neither lose nor gain financially as a result of incurring expenditure on Royal Ballet and Opera business. It also sets out the procedures to be adopted when making a claim for payment.
This policy sets out the requirements for Data Protection at the Royal Ballet and Opera, to ensure that all personal information is treated lawfully and correctly, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and related legislation including the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Our privacy policy explains in more detail how we protect the privacy of customer data.
This policy sets out the Royal Ballet and Opera's commitment to managing records and documents in accordance with five key principles. These principles are that reliable records must be created in accordance with common standards, information must be shared rather than managed as a personal resource, access to confidential information must be restricted, information must be organized in a logical and consistent way and records must be retained for agreed periods of time. In accordance with the final principle, appropriate records must be passed to our Collections department to provide a historical record of the organization’s work.
This policy sets out the procedure for making a complaint about the Royal Ballet and Opera including making a complaint about fundraising practice.
View or download Complaints Policy (PDF, 116 KB)
We welcome conversations on our social media platforms and encourage followers to interact with each other and engage in our online community.
Our Code of Conduct is a set of house rules to ensure our digital audiences have a positive experience when interacting with Royal Ballet and Opera social media channels.
All viewpoints are welcome, but please be constructive and polite in your responses. Do ask questions, share opinions, and add information. All comments go through moderation to keep our platforms inclusive and safe, bearing in mind our duty of care to audiences, staff and artists.
The views expressed by our fans and followers are their own and may not represent the views of the Royal Ballet and Opera, The Royal Ballet or The Royal Opera.
To ensure that everyone has a positive experience on our channels, we have a few house rules:
Avoid posting any personal information. Any posts that include an email address, phone number, address or other personal information will be removed.
Please avoid posting any hateful, defamatory, obscene, discriminatory or harassing comments, images or videos, or anything that could be deemed offensive to others. Such comments and posts will be removed and will most likely result in you being banned or blocked.
Avoid making posts or comments that serve as advertisements for yourself or others. We'll remove any links, images, messages, and so on that advertise or promote the goods or services of individuals, businesses or causes and such postings will most likely result in you being banned or blocked.
Avoid posting anything that isn't your original creative content or that you don't have a lawful right to post. Infringed branded logos, graphics, copyrighted text, images or videos that come to our attention will be removed, and you risk being banned or blocked.
We aim to monitor our main social media platforms 365 days a year. Our core office hours are between 10.00 and 18.00 GMT, Monday to Friday, excluding UK national holidays. We aim to respond to all enquiries as quickly as possible, but please note that some enquiries can take longer to resolve.
We reserve the right to moderate and/or remove comments that are in breach of our code of conduct. We will also report, delete and block activity where necessary.
View or download: Social Media Code of Conduct (PDF, 84.4KB)
Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation, a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in England and Wales (Company number 480523) Charity Registered (Number 211775)