Joyce Smyth, a solicitor who has become a powerhouse in the music industry managing acts including The Rolling Stones and Celine Dion, has been honoured by Ulster University, the Times Higher Education University of the Year, for her work shaping the music scene.
A Cambridge-educated lawyer, Joyce has spent 14 years managing The Rolling Stones overseeing live performances, recording, and publishing arrangements through her company Glastry. Under her leadership the band released Hackney Diamonds in 2023, their first studio album in two decades, which topped charts in 19 countries and was supported by a record-breaking 2024 U.S. stadium tour. Joyce also manages emerging artists and, since 2023, has co-managed Celine Dion, whose stunning performance at the Paris Olympics marked her live comeback.
Becoming a Doctor of Letters (DLitt), Joyce joined thousands of graduates in the Ulster University Class of 2024 who are celebrating their achievements across ceremonies in Belfast, Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry. Among them is an incredible group of inspirational leaders in sports, business, the music industry and contemporary art who have each been recognised by Ulster University, the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2024, with Honorary Doctorate awards.