Honour for a swordplay expert who carved a career in films

Posted on 27 May 2025 • Around the OU, Arts, Honorary Graduate

A multi-talented character in the UK’s creative and cultural industry has just been made an honorary graduate of The Open University, recognising his work in the arts.

Andy Wilkinson, who lives in Harpenden, Herts, dreamt of a showbusiness career and used his skills at fencing and other weaponry to help him enter the profession, gain an Equity card and perform in films.

He realised he had a talent for teaching the sport and so began his career working in commercials and then films including Henry V, starring Kenneth Branagh, and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, featuring Kevin Costner.

After discovering an aptitude for teaching, he went on to gain a range of qualifications in coaching, eventually becoming head coach of his fencing club.

Swordplay expert for top actors

During 35 years in the business, Andy has featured in dozens of productions, and his versatility and teaching experience meant he was often called on to train other performers in swordplay.

His career has seen him become the writer, choreographer and director of Golden Swords, a play first performed at London’s Globe Theatre, and he was the first and only UK coach and fight director to lead the British Academy of Fencing team to victory in the World Artistic Fencing Championships.

He was made an Honorary Professor of Theatrical Fencing by the Academy for this achievement.

Andy also became an author and has penned books on his own life in the industry. He is now a member of the Writers’ Guild of Great Britain, Directors UK – formerly the Directors Guild of Great Britain – and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

Screenwriter, producer and director

Diversifying has been the trademark of Andy’s career, and he has experience as a screenwriter, producer, and director in genres as diverse as film, documentaries and musical comedies.  Andy is well known as a mentor and champion of emerging talent and has helped many young people get a foot in the door and beyond.

His own production company has been thriving for a quarter of a century and has recently expanded into radio production, bringing together specialists in sound and music.

On accepting the award, he said it was “humbling” to receive the award of Master of the University and gave the graduating students this advice: “Be useful, be helpful, stay positive.”