Sir John Manduell

Name: Sir John Manduell (1928 – 2017)

Role: Founding Principal

About: In February 1970, in the middle of his second year as Director of Music at Lancaster University, Sir John received a call from Sir Charles Groves explaining that a new music college was to be built in Manchester, amalgamating the Royal Manchester College of Music (established by Hallé in 1898) and the Northern School of Music (which opened in 1928). The purpose behind the call was a request that his name be put forward as Founding Principal. Building commenced in Manchester, advertisements appeared and in 1973 when the RNCM officially opened its doors, he was at the helm.

Did you know? Sir John was in post until his retirement in 1996 and remains to this day our longest serving Principal.