Oscar-winning director Sir Sam Mendes and acclaimed actors Adrian Lester and James Nesbitt were among nine prominent figures from the arts world celebrated at this year’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) graduation ceremony. The event took place at the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on Tuesday 29 July and was led by LIPA’s Founding Patron, Sir Paul McCartney.
The 2025 cohort of LIPA Companions, an honour awarded for exceptional achievement and contribution to student learning, also included returning alumni heroes The Wombats. The Liverpool-based band was formed at LIPA in 2003 by Matthew Murphy, Tord Øverland Knudsen and Dan Haggis.
LIPA Companions for 2025:
- Simon Bobbett, manager of The Wombats (LIPA graduate)
- Adrian Lester, actor (Hustle, The Day After Tomorrow)
- Gay Linvill, Hollywood director and producer (The Big Bang Theory, Days of Our Lives)
- Sita McIntosh, CEO of Go Live Theatre and arts accessibility advocate
- Sir Sam Mendes, director, producer and writer (American Beauty, Skyfall)
- James Nesbitt, actor (Cold Feet, The Hobbit)
- Matthew Murphy, Tord Øverland Knudsen and Dan Haggis, members of The Wombats (five UK Top 5 albums, LIPA graduates)
The ceremony recognised the achievements of around 420 graduates from over 30 countries, including Colombia, Hong Kong, and India.
LIPA’s Principal and CEO Professor Sean McNamara said:
“Today is a celebration of creativity, collaboration and possibility.
“As artists, innovators, and leaders who will inspire others through their work, the graduating class of 2025 possesses the skills, the vision and the confidence to influence culture and the world around them. We are immensely proud of them and look forward to seeing the future they create.”
LIPA offers undergraduate, master’s, and foundation certificate programmes in disciplines such as Acting, Music, Dance, Filmmaking, Musical Theatre, Theatre Production, Sound Technology, and Arts Management.
Founded in 1996 by Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty, LIPA occupies the site of the former Liverpool Institute, the school attended by McCartney and George Harrison, and the neighbouring Liverpool Art College, once attended by John Lennon.
Sir Sam Mendes accepted his Companionship remotely via video message.
Photo Credit: Brian Roberts
