 After ten years' service, during which she fostered many talents and greatly enriched the repertory, she retired in July 2012.Peter Wright regarded her as the best artistic director since Ninette de Valois

Mason has received numerous accolades, awards, and honours for her accomplishments during her long career.She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2002 and elevated to the rank of Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 2008.