Dame Shirley Bassey is the new President of the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
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HRH Prince of Wales becomes President of Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
It was announced last night that the Royal Welsh College’s Patron, HRH The Prince of Wales, will become its President from July this year, joining a small group of organisations who share this honour.
HRH Prince of Wales becomes President
The announcement was made at the College’s annual President’s Dinner, presided over by Lord Rowe-Beddoe, the College’s longest standing President, who will be stepping down after 15 years. Lord Rowe-Beddoe will continue his relationship with the College in the newly created role of Chairman Laureate.
'We are so honoured and excited that His Royal Highness is developing his support of the College in this way and the news marks our 70th birthday in a very special way.
As our treasured Patron for the last 20 years, His Royal Highness has always taken an active and passionate interest in the progress of the College and its students and we are absolutely delighted that the relationship is deepening and will continue to grow.'John DerrickChair of RWCMD’s Board of Directors
'When I first arrived here I was struck by the tangible impact that David has had, and continues to have, on this College.
He has been a visionary supporter of its advancement over many years. His support for our students is immeasurable. We very much look forward to working with him in his new role as the inaugural Chairman Laureate.'Professor Helena GauntPrincipal RWCMD
His Royal Highness became the College’s Patron in 1999, prior to its royal status being granted in 2002. As an active Patron and supporter of the College, the Prince of Wales has hosted several Galas in the College’s name at Buckingham Palace. He also celebrated the final event of his own 70th birthday celebrations at the College in December last year.
The College commemorated these Birthday celebrations by announcing the renewal of the annual Prince of Wales Scholarships, which will be awarded from 2019 onwards from the College’s developing endowment, and the start of a partnership working with The Prince’s Trust.
Students from the College, including its Junior Conservatoire, perform regularly for His Royal Highness and his guests at Llwynywermod, his West Wales home.
The Prince of Wales is Patron of World Harp Congress 2020, which will be held at the College. World Harp Congress has members from over 50 countries and is held every three years. This will be the first time the World Harp Congress has been to Europe in twelve years.
Lord Rowe-Beddoe is an international business man with a prestigious record of public service and work for the performing arts. He has been Chairman of the College’s Development Committee, as well as Chairman of the College before becoming President in 2004.
He was close friends with fellow Welshman and actor Richard Burton, and was instrumental in creating the friendship and partnership with the Burton family that enabled the College to name its new theatre after the legendary Welsh actor.
As a result of this the College was also granted permission to give its resident company of final year actors, designers and stage managers the title of The Richard Burton Company.
In 2000 he received a knighthood for his services to industry and economic development in Wales and in 2006 he was elevated to the peerage.
Editors notes
The Lord Rowe-Beddoe of Kilgetty Kt DL
Lord Rowe-Beddoe was a music scholar at both Llandaff Cathedral School and Stowe School before going to St John’s College Cambridge (after service in the Royal Navy) and Harvard University Business School..
His love of the theatre started in childhood (his mother was a professional opera singer and tutor at the College) and continued through university where he was recognised as an accomplished actor.
His illustrious career includes work with Thomas De La Rue, the world’s largest commercial security printer and papermaker where he became Chief Executive from 1971 to 1976. He moved on to become President, Latin America, Europe, Middle East and Africa with Revlon Inc from 1976 until 1981, and then President of Morgan Stanley-GFTA Ltd until 1991.
His many other roles include Chairman of the Welsh Development Agency, Chairman of the Development Board for Rural Wales, Chairman of Cardiff Wales Airport and Chairman of the Office of National Statistics.
Lord Rowe-Beddoe’s current roles include Pro Chancellor of the University of South Wales, Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, an Honorary Doctor of the University of Wales, and the Life President of the Wales Millennium Centre, as well as Chairman Laureate of the Royal Welsh College.
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama
The Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, the National Conservatoire of Wales, and part of the University of South Wales Group, competes alongside an international peer group of conservatoires and specialist arts colleges for the best students globally, enabling students to enter and influence the world of music, theatre and related professions.
