Agenda item

Report of the Principal.

The Board received a report of the Principal of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama updating Governors on a number of current issues including Awards and Prizes, Drama tour of China and CYM Satellites.

Awards and Prizes

The Principal was delighted to report that all six finalists at this year’s Ferrier Awards had been alumni of the Guildhall School.

The Principal went on to report that the winner of the 2016 Guildhall School Gold Medal was harpist, Oliver Wass who had proved to be a very popular winner. The Vice-Principal and Director of Music reported that this was the first time that the award had gone to a harpist.

Finally, the Board were informed that a former pupil of the Guildhall School, Michaela Coel had recently been awarded a BAFTA for the best female performance in a comedy prize.

Drama tour of China

The Principal wished to record his thanks to Co-opted Member Mr Hoffman for his intervention in ensuring that a member of the cast whose visa application was initially rejected was able to join the company in good time for the first performance in Shanghai.

HEFCE revised operating model for quality assessment

The Principal reported that the School’s five-yearly assurance review had taken place on 28 April. He added that this had been a success on the whole and had resulted in some observations/recommendations for the School going forward.

The Chairman drew Governors’ attention to Appendix A which contained some next steps for the Board to note, in particular, the need for the governing body to sign a statement each year equivalent to the statement already signed by the Principal on an annual basis.

RECEIVED.