Dr Steven Berryman (MMus Music, 2004) has been appointed Executive Director of the new National Centre for Arts Education (NCAE), a Department for Education initiative designed to widen young people's access to high-quality arts education in schools across England.

The Centre is expected to support more than 10,000 schools in underserved areas and will champion art and design, dance, drama and music through teacher development, strategic leadership and stronger links between schools and cultural organisations.

Steven brings more than two decades of experience in education, leadership and cultural learning to the role. Reflecting on his career journey, he said: 'Leaving Royal Holloway with my MMus in 2004, I went straight into teaching and have never really left the classroom since, even as my career has grown in directions I couldn't have anticipated.'

Following his graduation, Steven combined teaching with a growing portfolio of work in composition, research and arts leadership. His career has included senior roles at some of the UK's leading schools and multi-academy trusts, while also contributing to national conversations around arts and cultural education.

Describing the values that have guided his work, Steven said: 'It has been a career shaped by a belief that arts and cultural education matters deeply; and a determination to make that case at every level.'

Steven credits his time at Royal Holloway with helping to prepare him for the breadth of opportunities that followed. 'The nature of the MMus was a turning point for me; it enabled me to engage with a range of musical practices and not let me become too specialised too soon,' he said. 'It was the breadth of my studies at RHUL that enabled me to approach the breadth of my career with confidence.'

Alongside his achievements in education and leadership, Steven remains fond of his student days in Egham. Among his favourite memories are performing in the Picture Gallery and playing with the Symphony Orchestra.

'There were musicians from lots of departments so it felt music was more than a subject and more than a course; you met students who wanted to make music all over the university,' he recalled.

Congratulations to Steven on this achievement and wish him every success in his new role leading the National Centre for Arts Education.