Prestigious university status awarded in recognition of successful tenure.
Julian Lloyd Webber will step down from his role as Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire next month, following a five-year period during which time he has overseen the move to a new £57 million building and seen the organisation be granted Royal status. He will retain links with the Conservatoire and Birmingham City University as he has been awarded the prestigious status of Emeritus Professor in recognition of his work.
The acclaimed music education advocate, broadcaster and renowned solo cellist has announced his departure after leading the Conservatoire, part of Birmingham City University, for five successful years.
Professor Lloyd Webber’s tenure, which started in July 2015 and comes to a close in September 2020, has included many notable achievements, including the appointment of the Conservatoire’s first Royal Patron in HRH, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex; receiving the Royal Title from Her Majesty the Queen, and overseeing the successful move to a new £57m state-of-the-art building at the heart of the Birmingham City University city centre campus.
Other accomplishments under Professor Lloyd Webber’s leadership include a merger with the School of Acting; securing the largest ever single donation in the history of the Conservatoire and attaining outstanding National Student Survey results year on year, with Music achieving the highest result of any UK conservatoire in 2020 for the third successive year.
Birmingham City University Vice Chancellor Professor Philip Plowden said: “The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has thrived under Julian’s leadership. What has been achieved has been exceptional. We are a university with creative arts at our core and Professor Lloyd Webber has not only been passionate about achieving world-class quality in the Conservatoire, but also supporting and promoting its exceptional outreach work to ensure that musical education is available to everyone.
“Working with Julian has been a delight, and I am very pleased that he has accepted the award of Emeritus Professor and will retain links with the Conservatoire and BCU. I look forward to continuing to work with him, and I wish him all the very best as he steps down as Principal.”
Professor Lloyd Webber said: “I will always treasure the many happy memories of my time at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. It has been a privilege to work with such a marvellous team and such wonderful students. I thank the University for the award of an Emeritus Professorship and wish the institution ongoing success.”
Over the past five years, under his leadership, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has forged a unique partnership with leading international record company Naxos for a series of recordings featuring Conservatoire students, celebrated Junior Department student pianist Lauren Zhang win BBC Young Musician of the Year and awarded honorary doctorates to artist Laura Mvula and actor Daniel Day Lewis.
Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive Dean, Professor Alison Honour said “We will always be grateful to Professor Lloyd Webber for his outstanding leadership during his time as Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and for his immense energy and passion for music and performing arts education. We are delighted that Professor Lloyd Webber has accepted the award of Emeritus Professor and that he will continue to play a part in the success of the Conservatoire.”
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is a world class institution providing exceptional training for the musicians, actors, stage managers and performers of the future. Part of Birmingham City University, its outstanding facilities attract the best and brightest students to Birmingham, along with internationally renowned performers and teachers. With limitless collaboration opportunities for staff and students, the Conservatoire is a stimulating environment with an international reputation which celebrates diversity.