Guildhall School welcomes new Fellows and Honorary Fellows at Graduation Day 2025

The Fellowship is Guildhall's highest accolade, recognising outstanding achievement or service to the School by past and present members of staff, members of the board and former students, with honorary fellowships recognising outstanding professional achievement or service to the School by practitioners who do not have a formal connection with Guildhall.

Those made Fellows of the School at 2025 Graduation ceremonies included Productions Arts alumni Kash Bennett, Tim Lutkin and Dan Shipton; former staff members Hannah Bibbins and James Weeks; and current staff members Jo Hutchinson and Annemette Verspeak. Former Vocal Studies department staff member Michael Harper was also awarded the fellowship posthumously, following his sad passing in March 2025. Honorary fellowships were awarded to Hugh Lloyd, Dr Suzann McLean, George Stiles and Professor Christopher Wood.

James Weeks and Kash Bennett were also invited to address the School's Class of 2025 during the morning and afternoon ceremonies respectively, when graduands were presented with their degrees and prizes. 

During the afternoon ceremony, the School welcomed its Patron, The Right Honourable The Lady Mayor, for one of her first engagements since taking office earlier this month. During the morning ceremony The Lady Mayor was represented by Alderman Sir Andrew Parmley. 

Both ceremonies also included addresses by Guildhall School Principal Professor Jonathan Vaughan and Chair of the Board of Governors The Honourable Emily Benn, as well as graduating student speakers Eryna Kisumba (Orchestral Artistry 2025) and Liberty Dearsley (Acting 2025)

Those made Fellows of the School were:

Fellows

• Kash Bennett Executive Director, Sonia Friedman Productions; former Executive Producer, National Theatre Productions
• Hannah Bibbins former Estates & Facilities Senior Project Manager, Guildhall School
• Michael Harper former Vocal Studies department staff, Guildhall School (awarded posthumously)
• Jo Hutchinson Director of Corporate Affairs, Guildhall School
• Tim Lutkin Creative Director and Lighting Designer
• Dan Shipton Creative Director, Show Director and Designer
• Annemette Verspeak Head of Voice, Guildhall School
• James Weeks Founder and Director, EXAUDI; Associate Professor of Composition, Durham University; former Associate Head of Composition, Guildhall School

Honorary Fellows

• Hugh Lloyd former General Manager, National Opera Studio; former Clerk, Musicians Company
• Dr Suzann McLean Artistic Director, Theatre Peckham; Founder and Director, Young and Talented
• George Stiles Musical Theatre composer and producer; Guildhall School benefactor
• Professor Christopher Wood Guildhall School benefactor; choral composer

Those awarded special prizes were:

• Seohyun Go Gold Medal (Music)
• Aisha-Mae McCormick Gold Medal (Acting)
• Lauren Jones Gold Medal (Production Arts) and Lady Mayor’s Prize 
• Eli Hunt Lady Mayor's Consort Prize 
• Alicia Hernández Huebra Sheriff’s Prize 
• Harun Tekin Sheriff’s Prize 
• Sophie McGibbon Chair’s Prize 
• Liberty Dearsley Deputy Chair’s Prize  
• Finn Genockey Principal’s Prize 
• Yuma Angius-Thomas Lutine Prize 

Both Graduation 2025 ceremonies are available to watch via Guildhall School's website.

_{Photograph: 2025 Fellows and Honorary Fellows with Professor Jonathan Vaughan (Principal) and The Honourable Emily Benn (Chair).}