Rose Bruford College was delighted to welcome GuildHE members to campus last week for the GuildHE Annual Conference 2025.
The event brought together leaders from small and specialist higher education institutions across the UK, who were welcomed with a keynote address from Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister of State for Skills and Minister of State for Women and Equalities. Together, delegates explored key challenges and opportunities shaping the future of higher education.
The College offered a distinctive creative arts backdrop, showcasing its specialist performance environment. Delegates experienced the historic Barn and Rose Theatres, along with performances across campus – from cabaret and choral singing to a student-led jazz ensemble – highlighting the breadth of creative talent at Rose Bruford.
“Our GuildHE Conference is always a wonderful chance to bring colleagues together to discuss the future of higher education and share strategies for moving forward.
Hosting this year’s conference at Rose Bruford enabled a truly unique experience, marked by thrilling performances from a variety of creative artists. It gave us a very salient reminder of the important work we do at GuildHE to raise, strengthen and protect the
voices of specialist institutions.”
Dr Brooke Storer-Church, CEO, GuildHE
As one of the UK’s longest-established drama conservatoires, Rose Bruford College is well-placed to demonstrate the unique value of specialist higher education institutions in developing creative talent and shaping transformative student experiences, whilst also entertaining guests with a rich programme of performances.
“What an extraordinary two days at Rose Bruford College and what a joy to see our students shine so brightly.
Every moment of the experience, from the ensemble performances to the lighting, sound, staging and pyrotechnics, was created and delivered by our exceptionally talented artists and practitioners in training. They demonstrated the power of collaboration, creativity, and specialist education at its very best. I could not be more proud.
A huge thank you to the brilliant GuildHE team for shaping such a rich and timely programme. The sessions challenged, inspired and reminded us of the responsibility we hold in shaping the future of higher education, together.”
Prof. Randall S Whittaker, Principal and CEO, Rose Bruford College
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