Stephen Graham will be honoured by Sir Paul McCartney at LIPA graduation

Acclaimed actor, writer and producer Stephen Graham will be honoured by Sir Paul McCartney at this year’s Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) graduation ceremony on Tuesday 21 July.

Born and raised on Merseyside, Stephen Graham is one of Britain’s leading actors, having built an outstanding career across film and television with celebrated performances in This Is England, Boardwalk Empire, Line of Duty, Boiling Point and Adolescence. His work as an actor, writer and producer has earned widespread critical acclaim, along with BAFTA, Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe awards and nominations.

Stephen is one of five leading figures from the creative industries who will be awarded a LIPA Companionship during a ceremony at the Liverpool Experience Campus (formerly ACC Liverpool). 

Also receiving the honour are BAFTA-winning actor and writer Cathy Tyson; Paul Duhaney, Artistic Director of Africa Oyé; McFly founding member, songwriter and author Tom Fletcher, who composed the music and lyrics for Paddington: The Musical; and film producer and president of the Oscars, Lynette Howell Taylor.

A LIPA Companionship is awarded in recognition of outstanding achievement in the creative industries and a significant contribution to student learning.

For Lynette Howell Taylor, the honour marks a full-circle moment. A proud Liverpudlian, she graduated from LIPA’s Management degree in 2000 before moving to Los Angeles, where she has produced more than 25 feature films, including A Star Is Born. In 2025, she was elected President of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences – the organisation behind the Oscars.

Lynette says:

“The foundation for my career was built at LIPA. It was the first time I felt truly seen for my passion and abilities. The teaching staff encouraged, supported and pushed me to explore my capabilities. 

“I owe so much to LIPA’s founders Mark Featherstone-Witty and Sir Paul McCartney for creating a truly creative and cross discipline environment where both artists and those that enable and work with artists can thrive. Being honoured this way means a tremendous amount to me and my gratitude is endless.”

The Companionships will be bestowed by LIPA’s Founding Patron, Sir Paul McCartney, in a ceremony that celebrates the achievements of over 400 graduating students from 28 countries, including Colombia, Georgia, India, Mexico, Peru and Venezuela. 

LIPA’s Principal and CEO, Professor Sean McNamara, says:

“This is a milestone graduation for us. As we mark our 30th anniversary and confer our first LIPA degrees, today is a celebration of creativity and collaboration.

“Our graduating class of 2026 leaves here as artists, innovators and leaders with the skills, vision and confidence to shape the creative and cultural industries. It is fitting that we celebrate their achievements alongside the outstanding artists, producers and managers who join us today as LIPA Companions. We are immensely proud of them all and look forward to seeing the future they create together.”

LIPA offers undergraduate, master’s and foundation certificate programmes in disciplines including Acting, Dance, Music, Musical Theatre, Filmmaking, Theatre Production, Design, Sound Technology and creative arts Management. 

Founded in 1996 by Sir Paul McCartney and Mark Featherstone-Witty, LIPA occupies the former Liverpool Institute school, attended by Sir Paul McCartney and George Harrison, alongside the neighbouring Liverpool Art College, where John Lennon studied.

The full list of Companions for 2026:

• Paul Duhaney, artistic director of Africa Oyé; the UK’s largest Festival of African Music and Culture
• Tom Fletcher, founding member of McFly and composer of music and lyrics for Paddington: The Musical
• Stephen Graham, BAFTA award-winning actor, producer and screenwriter (Peaky Blinders: The Immortal Man, Adolescence, Boiling Point) 
• Lynette Howell Taylor, president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and LIPA graduate.
• Cathy Tyson, BAFTA award-winning actor, director and founder of Brown Girls Films production company. (Blue Lights, Dune: Prophecy, Ride or Die)

Stephen Graham’s Adolescence recently made history at the Baftas, read more here.

Hear what the cast of the Beatles biopic films had to say ahead of the projects release here.

Find out what’s good up North on our new platform, The Northern Guide. 

From the best hotels, beauty spots, days out, food and more up North – visit thenorthernguide.com and follow The Northern Guide on Instagram HERE.