Dame... college principal is honoured

outside London where 90% of their music graduates are employed within six months.

Hilary, who until recently was also chairman of Conservatoires UK, has also overseen the £22.5m development to provide the conservatoire and Wales with state-of-the-art rehearsal and performance spaces, including the Dora Stoutzker Hall and the Richard Burton Theatre.

“I’m deeply honoured to receive this award,” said Hilary. “It has been an enormous privilege to serve as the principal of Wales’ National Conservatoire since 2007 and to witness the institution take its place alongside Wales’ leading national cultural institutions and within its international peer group.

“I pay tribute to my inspirational and dedicated colleagues who give so generously of themselves to ensure that every student has the opportunity to fulfil their individual potential, and to our wonderful students who will go on to transform and enrich our communities.”

Lord Rowe Beddoe, president of the Royal Welsh College, said: “Personally, I am absolutely delighted that Hilary’s enormous contribution to the continuing development of Wales’ National Conservatoire has been deservedly recognised by this honour.

“On behalf of the college, its excellent staff and wonderful students, we all appreciate her significant and extraordinary leadership.”

Hilary will leave her position at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama at the end of July, in order to become the first female president of Trinity College, Oxford.