Escape Studios Awards First Honorary Fellowship to Tara Saunders

Escape Studios is proud to announce Tara Saunders as our very first Honorary Fellow, a title awarded during our recent graduation ceremony on 4th November at the Indigo O2, North Greenwich.

This special recognition celebrates Tara’s outstanding contributions to the creative industries and her support for Escape Studios and our students. Tara is a visionary leader and passionate advocate for creativity, with a career spanning more than two decades in the games industry. From her early days as an Animator to her current role as Studio Head at Larian Studios, Tara has helped shape some of the most innovative projects in gaming. Her 20 years at PlayStation and her tenure as BAFTA Games Committee Chair highlight her commitment to excellence and collaboration.

Tara’s impact on Escape Studios has been profound. She has served on our Industry Advisory Board, contributed to shaping our degree programmes, and supported our graduates as they take their first steps into the industry. Her insights and encouragement have left a lasting mark on our community and inspired countless aspiring creatives.

We are honoured to celebrate Tara Saunders as our first Honorary Fellow.

Professor Ian Palmer, Principal of Escape Studios, said:

 "We are thrilled to award Tara Saunders our first Honorary Fellowship. Tara’s leadership and dedication to nurturing creative talent truly embody the values of Escape Studios. Her influence on the games industry is remarkable, and it was an honour to have her join us at this year’s graduation ceremony. This fellowship celebrates her outstanding achievements and sets the tone for what this new award represents: recognising excellence in the industry and championing professionals who go above and beyond to support emerging talent. Having Tara share her insights with our graduates was an inspiring moment for the next generation of creative professionals." 

You can watch a recording of this year’s Graduation Ceremony on the Escape Studios YouTube channel.