Rainer Hersch, who graduated in 1985 with a degree in Economics, is an award-winning stand-up comedian, pianist and conductor.

His career since graduating has encompassed management in the Arts, radio and television broadcasting, stand-up comedy and, latterly, a uniquely creative approach to musical education and awareness through comedy.

Rainer has appeared on every major comedy stage in Britain (including 13 times at the Edinburgh Festival), and has performed in more than 30 countries.

He says his time at University gave him the freedom to discover who he was and what he wanted to achieve. 

He loved the collegiate system, joined ten student societies, got the opportunity to write and perform as a comic actor and still managed to graduate with a good degree – though he admits that the supportive advice of a member of staff helped him to get the balance right.