In a landmark moment for the UK’s creative arts sector, Kath Geraghty, the National Theatre’s Head of Technical Qualifications, was awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the New Year 2026 Honours List. The prestigious honour was bestowed upon her in recognition of her extraordinary services to Education and Skills, marking a career defined by opening doors for the next generation of theatre-makers.
A Visionary for the Creative Workforce
Throughout her tenure at the National Theatre (NT), Geraghty proved to be a transformative force in the apprenticeships and skills training landscape. She famously oversaw the 2012 launch of the NT Apprenticeship Scheme, which successfully recruited 67 apprentices across 20 diverse departments—ranging from Carpentry to IT. Her commitment to excellence was evidenced by the scheme’s remarkable success rate, with 90% of graduates transitioning directly into paid professional work.
Beyond traditional apprenticeships, Geraghty established the NT as a pioneer in technical education. Under her leadership, the National became the first theatre to deliver T Level programmes, ensuring that vocational training remained modern and industry-relevant.
Breaking Barriers and Shaping Policy
Geraghty’s impact extended far beyond the walls of the National Theatre. As the chair of the Creative and Design Route Panel at Skills England, she championed the development of over 50 new occupational standards. Her visionary work helped bridge the gap between education and the creative industries, ensuring the sector’s talent pipeline remained robust.
One of her most significant achievements was the 2022 pilot of the Flexi-job Portable Apprenticeship. Collaborating with the Royal Ballet & Opera, White Light, and ATG, she created a flexible model that allowed apprentices to gain experience across multiple organisations—a first for the theatre sector.
A Legacy of Inclusion
Upon receiving the news, Indhu Rubasingham, Director of the National Theatre, praised Geraghty for her "unparalleled and lasting impact." Geraghty herself remained humble, dedicating the honour to the apprentices she mentored. "It has been a joy to champion the future workforce of our world-leading creative industries," she remarked. "My most heartfelt respect goes to the apprentices who are brilliantly transforming our sector."
Photo credit: Sean O'Malley
