After training at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) Luke joined the Bath Festival administration as stage manager in 1968 and became Administrative Director in 1974. In 1976 he left the Festival to found The Association for Business Sponsorship of the Arts. In 1983, at the age of 34 he was appointed the youngest ever Secretary General of the Arts Council of Great Britain. Resigning seven years later, he was appointed UK Cultural Director for Expo 92 the World Fair in Seville. This was followed in 1993 by his appointment as Director of Marketing and Press for Sotheby’s Europe. In 1999 he became CEO of The Royal Academy of Dance, a post he held until his retirement in 2023.

Luke has held honorary posts with many organisations including: Bath Theatre Royal; Bath Preservation Trust; V&A Museum; English Shakespeare Company; The London Chorus; LAMDA; Shakespeare Prize, Hamburg; UK Arts and Media Honours Committee and the Sharjah Performing Arts Academy.

Luke holds Honorary Degrees from the Universities of Durham, Bath and Roehampton. He was made CBE in 2017 and KBE in 2023.