Sara Bispham Honoured with Inspirational Women in Business Award for Creative Director at the 2026 Innervision Media Awards

Sara Bispham, Creative Director of The Academy Watford, has been named the winner of the Inspirational Women in Business Award for Creative Director at the 2026 Innervision Media Awards, recognising her outstanding contribution to performing arts education, creative leadership, and community impact.

Originally from Bushey, Sara built an impressive professional career as a performer, appearing in productions across London’s West End, Europe, and internationally before establishing The Academy Watford, a performing arts school that has become one of Hertfordshire’s most celebrated training centres for young performers.

Reflecting on her journey, Sara shared:

“I started my career as a performer appearing in musicals in the West End and Europe. In between performing jobs I would always teach. I really enjoyed my teaching work and so decided to open my own school. I originally toyed with the idea of opening a franchise of an existing brand but then decided that I’d really like to be my own boss and in total control, so created my own school and business from scratch. My goal was to build up my business whilst still performing so that once I stopped performing the business would be fully established.”

That vision has since evolved into a thriving business that continues to grow while staying true to the values on which it was founded. 

Since opening in 2015, The Academy Watford has continually adapted to meet the needs of its students and families, yet Sara has remained committed to preserving the school’s core ethos of care, excellence, and personal development.

According to Sara, the foundations of success have always been centred on people. She attributes the growth of the business to genuinely caring about every individual client, maintaining exceptional standards, paying close attention to detail, and constantly evolving. While the way the academy operates today differs significantly from its early years, she has ensured that its heart, values, and culture remain unchanged.

Like many business owners, Sara faced significant challenges during the pandemic. When classes were forced online in 2020, she focused on ensuring students and families continued to feel supported and connected. By prioritising the wellbeing and enjoyment of those attending classes, The Academy remained a positive and uplifting outlet during an incredibly difficult period.

For women looking to follow a similar path, Sara believes support systems are essential. She encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to surround themselves with trusted people who can offer guidance, perspective, and encouragement. Whether it is a business partner, employee, friend, or family member, she credits many successful decisions to having people around her with whom she could discuss ideas and work through challenges.

What continues to drive her every day is the positive impact the academy has on children and their families. While she enjoys the business side of running an organisation, her greatest fulfilment comes from being in the studio, watching students develop their skills and confidence, and seeing the difference performing arts can make in their lives.

Sara explained:

“The accomplishment I am most proud of is the positive community we have created. Many of my students (and their parents) tell me they’ve made life-long friendships at the school. Several of my ex students now grown up return to work at the business, whether it be as teachers or helping backstage during our performances and they all tell me The Academy is their safe place, that it feels like coming home and they hope to always stay connected to the business. This is really special to me and by far the thing I am most proud of.”

The sense of belonging fostered within The Academy Watford has become one of its defining characteristics, with former students remaining connected long after completing their training and many returning to contribute to future generations of performers.

Looking ahead, Sara says she has already achieved much of what she originally set out to accomplish. Her focus now is on ensuring the business continues to thrive and evolve while maintaining the high standards, attention to detail, and caring atmosphere that have become synonymous with The Academy’s success.

Although there were moments during the early years when she questioned whether to continue, Sara remained determined. She often reminded herself that she did not want to look back years later with regrets about giving up too soon. That perseverance has reinforced her belief that while business ownership inevitably brings difficult periods, those challenges pass and are ultimately outweighed by the rewards.

Winning the Inspirational Women in Business Award for Creative Director has provided a fresh perspective on her achievements and the impact of her work. Sara describes the recognition as both inspiring and energising, giving her an opportunity to reflect on the difference the academy has made to so many lives and serving as a reminder of the positive influence the business continues to have within the community.

A key influence throughout Sara’s career has been the renowned theatre educator Sylvia Young. Having attended Sylvia Young Theatre School as a student and later returning as a teacher, Sara was able to observe first-hand the leadership style that helped shape one of the country’s most respected performing arts institutions. She frequently finds herself asking, “What would Sylvia do?” when faced with important decisions and credits Sylvia’s kindness, leadership, and approach to people as qualities she strives to emulate in her own business.

The Inspirational Women in Business Award for Creative Director celebrates not only Sara Bispham’s exceptional professional achievements but also her unwavering dedication to nurturing confidence, creativity, and opportunity for young people. Through The Academy Watford, she has created far more than a performing arts school; she has built a lasting community that continues to inspire and transform lives.

About The Academy Watford

Founded in 2015, The Academy Watford is a leading performing arts school dedicated to helping young people develop confidence, creativity, and performance skills in a supportive and inspiring environment. The academy offers professional training, performance opportunities, and a strong community culture that encourages personal growth both on and off the stage.

Contact Information

Sara Bispham
Creative Director, The Academy Watford

📞 07511 159 178
✉️ info@theacademywatford.com
🌐 www.theacademywatford.com