Kevin ‘Kit’ Thompson, arts educator and former UMAC college master, dies at 74

Professor Kevin “Kit” Thompson, a prominent arts educator and former master of Moon Chun Memorial College at the University of Macau (UMAC), has died at his home in the United Kingdom (UK) on Sept. 12. He was 74.

Thompson, who spent decades in senior leadership roles at performing arts institutions in the UK, Hong Kong and Macau, was remembered by friends and colleagues as a committed educator and tireless advocate for public service, music and the arts.

The British Chamber of Commerce in Macao (BritCham) announced his death in a tribute, describing Thompson as “a dear friend to so many of us” and recalling his contributions to the chamber and the wider business and cultural community.

Thompson served as BritCham’s joint vice chairman and later as its ambassador and an honorary member following his retirement from Macau. He also served as president of the Macau European Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the France Macau Chamber of Commerce (FMCC).

BritCham chairman Eileen Stow said Thompson “threw himself into public service way beyond the confines of what would have been a demanding role at UMAC.”

“He and Patricia made connection with BritCham immediately on arrival for his post here,” Stow told the Times, referring to Thompson’s wife, Patricia. “He had far-reaching connections that he brought to us.”

Stow recalled working alongside Thompson to host a reception for Sir Neville Marriner during the renowned conductor’s visit to Macau with the Orchestra of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields.

“He introduced us to interesting and valuable speakers for our events and involved his students with what we were doing, and us with them,” she said.

Thompson also arranged for business representatives to speak to his students about the role of business chambers in their commercial lives, Stow said.

His career in arts education began in the UK, where he became one of the country’s leading performing arts and conservatoire directors. In 1988, he was appointed president of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, becoming the youngest person to hold the position in the UK at the time.

He later served as president of Dartington College of Arts from 1993 to 2004 before moving to Asia, where he became president of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts in 2004.

His contributions to education and the arts were recognized in the UK’s New Year Honours in 2011, when he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).

Thompson came to Macau in 2012 after being invited to help establish a collegiate system at UMAC. He and Patricia became closely involved in the university and the wider community during their time in the city.

“Kit and Patricia’s students were the centre of all they did,” BritCham said in its tribute, noting that friends had witnessed the “life-changing experiences” the couple helped create for students by showing them the resources and opportunities available within the community.

In a separate tribute, the FMCC noted, “While the world knew him as a pre-eminent figure in the performing arts, […] we at FMCC remember him as a cosmopolitan gentleman who tirelessly championed the cultural and business ties between Macau, France and the wider European community.”

“He possessed a rare gift for bridging different worlds and was deeply committed to highlighting the elegance and cultural richness of Macau,” the chamber added.

Thompson is survived by Patricia.