Robin Hutchinson, well known throughout the borough for his passion for creativity and focus on empowering people, was made Honorary Freeman of the Royal Borough of Kingston at a full council meeting last week.

The status of Honorary Freeman is the highest honour that a local authority can bestow on a citizen, and Kingston Council had only granted seven people with the special status prior to Mr Hutchinson's recognition, who received the honour for his dedication to arts and the local community on Tuesday, 18th April.

As well as being a founding Trustee of the Rose Theatre, Mr Hutchinson is director of Community Brain which works with communities in Kingston to develop togetherness, using the widest range of the arts, education and local history.

As the driving force behind the organisation, Robin has had huge influence on cultural life within Kingston through projects such as SHEDX, the Museum of Futures, Ziggy Returns and the Surbiton Food Festival.

He is also chair of Creative Youth which aims to enable young people across the borough to realise their potential through innovative, ambitious and original projects in the Arts. Creative Youth held the first International Youth Arts Festival (now called FUSE) at the Rose Theatre in 2009. The event has grown to become the largest festival of its kind in the UK. 

Alongside this, Robin has recently been instrumental in the opening of Creative Youth's newest venture, 'FUSEBOX'. This new home and performance space is located in the basement of the John Lewis building, which was recently regenerated by Kingston Council as part of the town's heritage-led 'Transform Kingston' programme.

The space is now open to the public for a pilot season of activities and drop-in tours. 

Following the full council meeting on April 18th, the latest Honorary Freeman of Kingston took to Twitter to express his gratitude at the high accolade.

Robin Hutchinson wrote: "Yesterday evening I had the great honour of being conferred the status of Honorary Freeman of the Royal Borough of Kingston, only the 7th person to receive such an accolade. It was a very kind thing to do that truly recognises all the amazing people I have had the honour to work with over the years from things such as The Douglas Centre (Corner House), Ark in the Park, Rose Theatre, Creative Youth, FUSE International, Community Brain, SHEDx, events galore and most recently fuseboxkingston.

"Your energies, talents and belief made these things and more happen. I am grateful to the Councillors for their kindness and to all the organisations, local and national that have helped and supported over the years."