Caroline Stockmann appointed Chair of The Guildhall School Trust

The Guildhall School Trust is a registered charity which exists to supports students and projects at Guildhall School of Music & Drama. It works closely with the Development and Alumni Relations Office to facilitate philanthropic support of the School.

Caroline Stockmann was Chief Executive of the Association of Corporate Treasurers for seven years to 2023 and prior to that she enjoyed a fulfilling career in senior finance, commercial and strategic roles at both not-for-profit and commercial organisations including the British Council, Save the Children International, Southbank Centre, Novartis Pharmaceuticals (Switzerland), Cadbury Schweppes, Granada plc and Unilever/Bestfoods (Thailand, Netherlands and UK). Caroline has significant experience on boards with current roles including: Chair of the Finance, Investment and Risk Committee of The Guildhall School Trust, External Member of the SONIA Oversight Committee of the Bank of England; Chair of Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership, a large multi-academy trust; Board member and Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee of both the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and VIVID Housing; and Non-Exec Director of the FinTech TreasurySpring. Moreover, Caroline is an alumna of Guildhall School.

On her appointment, Caroline said: “As an alumna of the School, I am so proud of all its achievements, including being objectively recognised as one of the top conservatoires in the world. I am also constantly and consistently amazed by the quality and maturity of the students today. They are all fabulous! To be appointed Chair of the Guildhall School Trust therefore is a huge honour, and I hope to bring every ounce of my energy and enthusiasm to the role, and to working with my fantastic colleagues, both executive and non-executive. Our task is to support the School and its music, drama and production arts students, to ensure a sustainable future for the performing arts, and it’s a real privilege to be in this position. I’d also like to take the opportunity to thank outgoing Chair, Deborah Lincoln, who has transformed the Trust board over the last six years.”

Outgoing Chair Deborah Lincoln, who has completed six years on the Trust, said: “What a privilege and joy it has been to work with my fellow Trustees alongside Jonathan Vaughan and his excellent team, to help this and future generations of talented musicians, actors and production artists to fulfil their potential. It now gives me enormous pleasure to congratulate and hand over to my highly accomplished successor, Caroline Stockmann. I am confident the Guildhall School Trust will go from strength to strength under her guidance.”

Professor Jonathan Vaughan FGS, Principal of Guildhall School, commented: “The Guildhall School Trust plays a vital part in facilitating the strategic aims of the School, by supporting the exceptional talent of our students, our world-leading teaching, our nurturing of artistic citizens and our flourishing global research community. I would like to thank Deborah Lincoln for the huge commitment she has shown during her time as Chair, overseeing a significant amount of change for the Trust. I am equally delighted to welcome Caroline to the role of Chair of the Trust Board. Having worked with Caroline since 2023, I know how passionate she is about the school and its work, and myself and my colleagues look forward to working closely with her and the Trust Board to ensure both responsible stewardship as well as sustainable philanthropic support for the School.”

The Guildhall School Trust is also delighted to welcome a new Trustee – Michelle Dove-Clark, a Chartered Engineer and member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology.