Julian Lloyd Webber will step down from his role as Principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire after five years at the helm.

During his tenure, Webber has overseen the move to a new £57 million building and seen the organisation be granted Royal status. He will retain links with the Conservatoire and Birmingham City University as he has been awarded the prestigious status of Emeritus Professor in recognition of his work.

Other accomplishments under Professor Lloyd Webber’s leadership include a merger with the School of Acting; securing the largest ever single donation in the history of the Conservatoire and attaining outstanding National Student Survey results year on year, with Music achieving the highest result of any UK conservatoire in 2020 for the third successive year. Birmingham City University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Philip Plowden, said:

"The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire has thrived under Julian’s leadership; what has been achieved has been exceptional. We are a university with creative arts at our core and Professor Lloyd Webber has not only been passionate about achieving world-class quality in the Conservatoire but also supporting and promoting its exceptional outreach work to ensure that musical education is available to everyone.  

“Working with Julian has been a delight, and I am very pleased that he has accepted the award of Emeritus Professor and will retain links with the Conservatoire and BCU. I look forward to continuing to work with him, and I wish him all the very best as he steps down as Principal.”

Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is a world-class institution providing exceptional training for the musicians, actors, stage managers and performers of the future. Part of Birmingham City University, its outstanding facilities attract the best and brightest students to Birmingham, along with internationally renowned performers and teachers.