The Guildhall School of Music & Drama is delighted to announce that Lynne Williams has now joined the School as Principal from January 2017. Lynne Williams takes over from Professor Sir Barry Ife who has been in post for 12 years and is stepping down to focus on teaching and research, continuing at the School as an Honorary Senior Research Fellow. Williams has been the Director/CEO of Australia’s National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) since 2008.

Guildhall School Chairman of the Board of Governors, Deputy John Bennett, said, ‘We are delighted that Lynne Williams is joining the Guildhall School at this exciting time in the School’s life. The next few years will see significant opportunities as well as challenges for the higher education sector and for culture and the performing arts in the City of London and beyond. Lynne inherits a world-class institution with an exceptional senior management team leading a remarkably strong artistic, educational and research output. I am very pleased that she has accepted the offer to join us and take her vision for the School forward.’

Lynne Williams commented, ‘The Guildhall School is one of the great conservatoires of the world. I am excited to be joining the team and the wider Guildhall community to build on this prestigious reputation at a time when excellence and innovation in arts education and training has never been so crucial to ensuring a creative and cultural future for 21st century society.’

The Guildhall School’s Principal provides strategic direction and leadership for the institution and ensures that the School’s business plan is implemented effectively, positioning and representing the Guildhall School at a national and international level. Reporting to the Town Clerk and Chief Executive of the City of London Corporation and responsible to the Board of Governors of the Guildhall School, the Principal leads the Vice-Principals Group and the Senior Management Team.

Key responsibilities include:

• Articulating the vision and strategy which enable the School to be at the forefront of its field
• Ensuring the necessary growth and diversification of income generation and control of expenditure
• Maintaining a strong working relationship with the City of London Corporation
• Overseeing the implementation of a curriculum which aims at the highest standards of performing skill and academic achievement and at the development of individual autonomy, curiosity, leadership, flexibility and risk-taking through imaginative forms of teaching & learning
• Continuing the development of the School’s specialist music training at the under-18 level through Junior Guildhall, the Centre for Young Musicians and Creative Learning
• Achieving an educational environment which supports outstanding and innovative practice-based teaching and research, continuing professional development and creative enterprise
• Maintaining a strong and robust system of monitoring academic standards, in order to retain the School’s world-class standing and reputation for its taught awards and validated research degrees
• Forming a strong network of local, national and international partnerships and collaborations with professional and artistic organisations, educational and community groups
• Creating a culture which is receptive to change, which fosters collaboration between the various professional disciplines, innovation, personal motivation and reflection, mutual tolerance and respect