University News Last updated 02 October
Administrative Officer Judy Francis retired this week (w/c 29 September 2025) after joining Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) in 1998.
Find out more about the roles that she has carried out and highlights in this Q&A interview.
When did you start work at RBC?
I started in May 1998 before the Conservatoire received its royal title, when we were based in Paradise Circus in the City Centre. Initially, I was employed as the Personal Assistant (PA) to Vice-Principal Paul Bamborough.
How did your role evolve over time?
I began managing teaching administration and became the link between Visiting Tutors and the wider University. I also looked after our Erasmus Scheme at one point. In recent years, I also began administrating the Workload Allocation Model at RBC alongside being a member of the Principal’s Office, looking after RBC’s senior management team.
Acting courses joined RBC in 2017, and this is when I looked after the administration of their teaching alongside Music. I also dealt with payroll administration following a restructure.
How has RBC changed since you started?
Firstly, we became ‘Royal’ and moved into an amazing new building, becoming part of BCU’s City Centre Campus. When I started, the Conservatoire was a standalone faculty, and we then became part of Birmingham City University’s (BCU) Faculty of Performance, Media and English, which turned into Faculty of Arts, Design and Media (ADM). RBC has now gone full circle, returning to being a standalone part of the University again.
What are the highlights from your time here?
Supporting students and watching them grow, then observing as their careers develop will always be a highlight. I have been lucky to develop working relationships with staff across BCU who are now my friends. I hope I will be able to stay in touch with them into my retirement.
Do you have a final message for these colleagues?
RBC is a special place! It’s one huge team that works together to make it all happen. The support I have received over the years has been immense and not something to take lightly. I will miss it all!
Pictured (l-r): Former Vice-Principal Paul Bamborough, Principal Stephen Maddock, Administrative Officer Judy Francis, Former Principal David Saint and Director of Undergraduate Music Studies Duncan Fielden.