Award-winning LIPA grad honoured by Sir Paul McCartney

One of the UK’s leading theatre directors, Jamie Lloyd, returned to where it all began, the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA), to be made a Companion by Sir Paul McCartney on 30 July. 

LIPA graduate Jamie was one of four people to receive the accolade from the institute’s Founding Patron, Sir Paul, at the annual graduation ceremony at ACC Liverpool. LIPA Companionships are awarded for outstanding achievement and practical contribution to students’ learning. 

Since finishing LIPA’s Acting degree in 2002, Jamie Lloyd has become one of the country's most influential and celebrated directors. A multi-award-winner, his West End revival of Sunset Boulevard won seven Olivier Awards in April, including the Sir Peter Hall Award for Best Director. 

Jamie, who became the first LIPA graduate to be made a Companion, received the honour alongside music equality campaigner Vick Bain, Olivier Award winning actor Kobna Holdbrook-Smith and Olivier and Tony Award winning theatre designer Rae Smith. 

As part of the ceremony Dr Andreas Sennheiser and Daniel Sennheiser, CEOs of innovative audio manufacturers Sennheiser, who are longtime supporters of LIPA, were made Honoured Friends. 

Sir Paul McCartney, LIPA's Principal and CEO Sean McNamara and, from L-R Vick Bain, Jamie Lloyd, Kobna Holdbrook-Smith, Mark Featherstone-Witty, Rae Smith, Daniel Sennheiser, and Andreas Sennheiser

Sean McNamara, LIPA’s Principal and CEO said: “The dedication, resilience and determination our students have displayed is an inspiration. We are immensely proud of them and today we celebrate their achievements and the transformative power that resides within them. 

“In the realm of the performing arts, creativity knows no bounds. Whether it be through music, dance, theatre, or any other form of expression, the performing arts provide us with a unique and vital platform to communicate, and to serve as a mirror to society, reflecting our collective joys, sorrows, hopes, and struggles. As artists, creatives, change makers, and cultural entrepreneurs, the graduating class of 2024 possess all these qualities.” 

Around 320 students from 31 different countries, including Indonesia, Maldives, Spain and Ukraine attended the ceremony at ACC Liverpool having completed degree, masters or foundation certificate programmes. 

LIPA is a university level provider of creative and performing arts training, offering courses in Acting, Dance, Costume Making, Filmmaking, Management, Music, Sound Technology, Theatre & Performance Design and Theatre & Production Technology.  

Co-founded by Sir Paul McCartney, who remains Lead-Patron, LIPA is based on the site of the old Liverpool Institute – his and fellow Beatle George Harrison’s former school – and the Liverpool Art College, which a third Beatle, John Lennon, attended.