Rob Archibald

Overview

Rob is a senior academic leader, educator, and creative practitioner with over 20 years’ experience in the performing arts and higher education. Currently serving as Head of Performing Arts at City St. George's, University of London, Rob leads undergraduate and postgraduate provision across the department, with a strategic focus on curriculum reform, inclusion, and sector engagement.

Originally trained as a performer, with a BA in Acting and a Postgraduate Diploma in Performance, Rob went on to complete a PGCLTHE at Rose Bruford College and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. His leadership spans programme design, quality assurance, and safeguarding, and he has successfully overseen institutional transformation and cross-departmental unification following the integration of Urdang into City.

An experienced Head of Department at Urdang, Mountview, and LAMDA, Rob combines pedagogic expertise with real-world industry knowledge as a musical director, composer, and vocal coach. His work is informed by longstanding professional connections, ensuring teaching and training remain aligned with current creative industry practice.

Rob’s research activity is rooted in practice-based enquiry, inclusive pedagogy, and compassionate leadership. His current research explores how organisational culture, curriculum frameworks, and leadership practice can better support wellbeing, sustainability, and equity in performing arts education. With particular interest in kindness as a leadership principle, inclusive assessment strategies, and the intersection of mental health and performance training, his work bridges academic theory with sector application.

He is the author of the forthcoming book Mind Your Own Business: The 8 Principles of Kindness in the Workplace, which examines workplace culture in creative institutions and argues for values-led leadership in education and the arts.

Committed to empowering students and colleagues alike, Rob leads with integrity, creativity, and a focus on equity—championing educational excellence, cultural change, and community across the performing arts.

Employment

• Head of Performing Arts, City, University of London, United Kingdom, May 2024 - present
• Principal/Artistic Director (Musical Theatre), Urdang, United Kingdom, November 2014 - April 2024