Meet the Judges

Josette Bushell-Mingo OBE is Principal and CEO of The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and Artistic Director for The National Black Theatre of Sweden. She is an award-winning actor and director whose career has included performances with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the Manchester Royal Exchange.

Rob Rinder MBE is a broadcaster, bestselling author and passionate advocate for Holocaust remembrance and education. The grandson of a Holocaust survivor, he has explored his own family’s Holocaust history through his broadcasting work and is committed to ensuring survivors’ life stories reach future generations. He is Chair of the Jewish Music Institute and President of the Orion Orchestra. Rob was awarded an MBE in 2020 for services to Holocaust education.

Matthew Schellhorn is a British pianist and educator, praised by BBC Music Magazine for his “immaculate pianism”. A prominent advocate and performer of new music, he has established an international career as a performer and recording artist, with critically acclaimed recordings and albums reaching the Official Classical Charts. He has extensive experience as a teacher and communicator, is a member of the Faculty of Music at the University of Cambridge, and gives masterclasses and workshops across the UK and internationally. He is also Patron of the National Youth Arts Trust and The Sand House Charity, reflecting his commitment to supporting and encouraging young musicians.

Alex Sobel MP is the Labour and Co-operative Member of Parliament for Leeds Central and Headingley and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Music. Before entering Parliament, he promoted gigs and managed bands in Leeds, giving him a longstanding connection to the music sector. In Parliament, he has championed musicians, artists and venues and raised issues affecting the industry, from protecting creators’ rights to supporting live music. He is a strong advocate for the cultural and social value of music.

Dr Linda Asquith is a Trustee of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and a lifelong musician with more than 40 years’ experience playing woodwind instruments. She has performed with a variety of concert bands, developing a deep appreciation for the power of music to inspire, connect and communicate important messages. Linda currently plays First Clarinet with Wakefield Orchestral Wind. She brings both her musical experience and commitment to Holocaust remembrance to the judging panel.

Olivia Marks-Woldman OBE is Chief Executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT), which leads the national commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day across the UK. She has led HMDT since 2012, working to deepen understanding of the Holocaust, protect its truth and legacy against denial and distortion, and ensure people remember and learn where prejudice led. Olivia was awarded an OBE for services to Holocaust commemoration and education in 2020.