Julian Lloyd Webber resigned over budget cuts

Julian Lloyd Webber has spoken of his decision to leave his position at Birmingham Conservatoire due to frustrations over funding.

In August 2020, the renowned cellist announced he would leave his role as principal of the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire after a five-year tenure.

He oversaw the move to a new £57m building, which he described as "the best of any conservatoire building in the country".

But he said when the organisation lost out on higher education funding to institutions in London he was left having to explain to department heads why "their budget was cut in half".

He added: "So I resigned. 80% of funding, I think they call it Specialist Institutions for Music, goes to London, 80%.

"And guess where the other 20% is going? Manchester."

The revelation comes from his new autobiography, titled Bows and Arrows.

The Office for Students reformed the way specialist education institutions were funded and the Conservatoire missed out, partly as it was part of Birmingham City University.

The school has since loosened its ties with the university, one reason for which was to "unlock additional funding streams".

Explaining why now had been a good time to release his book, he said: "I was at the point where I had finished my career, really.

"I had an injury and after resigning from the Conservatoire. I was doing lots of things but I thought why not actually put this down."

Despite his frustrations, Lloyd Webber said he had loved his time in Birmingham and said he believed the Conservatoire would "reap the reward" of investing in music education.

The 75-year-old also spoke of his diagnosis with prostate cancer in October.

"I've got it, and I need to treat it. I put things aside to finish the book but now I need to attend to my health," he said.

On his official Facebook page, he also said: "I did not want to let anyone down so I kept my diagnosis secret until after my birthday concert but now I need to begin treatment as soon as possible.

"I am encouraged by the expectations of the medical team and look forward to making a full recovery.

"I am not intending to cancel engagements and I won't comment any further on this matter until after the treatment."

Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.