Photos: Princess Anne Visits National Theatre to Celebrate Apprenticeships Scheme

Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited the National Theatre to celebrate the organisation’s Apprenticeships Scheme following it receiving the prestigious Princess Royal Training Award alongside a special DEI Commendation. The National Theatre is the only theatre to have ever received this award, recognising its pioneering work to expand access to careers in the creative industries.

During the visit, The Princess Royal toured the National Theatre’s backstage workshops and its Dorfman Theatre, meeting 17 current and former apprentices alongside key backstage and technical theatre staff. Her Royal Highness visited the props, scenic art, and carpentry workshops, and in a particularly special moment as a keen equestrian, The Princess Royal met ‘Joey’ one of the renowned puppets from the smash-hit production War Horse which returns to the Olivier stage this summer, offering a vivid insight into the craft and innovation that underpin the National Theatre’s world-class productions.

The National Theatre is the largest employer in the not-for-profit theatre sector and a skills incubator for the entire creative industries, creating a more inclusive and resilient future for theatre.  It has recruited over 60 entry-level apprentices across 21 different departments, with an outstanding 90% progressing directly into paid employment upon completion. From carpentry to finance, props to automation, its apprentices are gaining hands-on paid experience, building confidence, and developing the skills that will springboard their future careers.

Its Apprenticeships Scheme was recognised with a Princess Royal Training Award, run by The City & Guilds Foundation, and a special DEI Commendation in 2024, celebrating its impact in breaking down barriers to entry and addressing critical skills gaps across the creative industries.  Established in 2016, the award honours organisations delivering exceptional learning and development programmes that drive real, lasting change.  As president of The City & Guilds of London Institute (CGLI), known as the City & Guilds Foundation, The Princess Royal is a longstanding champion of skills and vocational training.

Central to this success is the National Theatre Skills Centre, which this month marks the one-year anniversary of its partnership with Bank of America. This transformative collaboration has offered over 8,000 hours of training and over 2,300 sessions, helping to build a more resilient and sustainable future for theatre and the wider economy. The partnership is a flagship example of the public and private sector working hand in hand to strengthen the creative industries by unlocking opportunities for people all over the country. The National Theatre Skills Centre has supported over 6,000 people nationwide over the past year, nurturing the specialist skills that power the UK’s creative industries.

The tour was led by Yamin Choudury, the National Theatre’s Director of Learning, and Kath Geraghty MBE, Head of Technical Qualifications, who oversaw the creation and delivery of the NT’s Apprenticeships scheme in 2012. Other guests included Deputy Lieutenant of Lambeth, Mr. Christopher Wellbelove DL; the National Theatre’s Chief Development Officer Kathryn Marten; NT Board member Elizabeth Pryce; Fernando Vicario, CEO Merrill Lynch International (Bank of America); and representatives from the City & Guilds Foundation, including Frank Douglas and Mike Adamson CBE.