On 23 April 2025 Vice-Chair Michael Morley was delighted to accept a Magna Carta award on behalf of the BritishSpanish Society. The date was particularly poignant to the Society, as it was formed on 23 April 1916, on the anniversary of the deaths of literary greats William Shakespeare and Miguel de Cervantes, and of course, St George’s Day.

The Society received the award in the Social Purpose category for its contribution, through social initiatives, to fostering ties between the two cultures. Recognition was given to the Society’s Scholarship Programme which recently launched its 18^th edition.

The award was presented by Magna Carta committee member David Sharrock. On receiving the award Michael Morley said ‘The BritishSpanish Society is honoured to be the first recipient of the Magna Carta for Labor Social and to receive recognition for its Scholarship Programme, the ‘beating heart’ of our Society. Morley also celebrated the success of the 100+ British and Spanish post-graduate students who had to date received scholarships from the Society and its sponsors.

Morley spoke of the Society’s ambition to continue growing its membership, both in Britain and Spain, strengthening the Scholarship Programme, and the Society’s work to bilaterally promote exchanges of British and Spanish culture.

Warmly thanking award organiser, Madrid based law firm Bennet & Rey, and sponsors Banco Sabadell, Morley added that the BritishSpanish Society felt very honoured to have been included in a group of distinguished recipients.

Fellow award winners were:

Culture – La Casa de Alba, received by Carlos Stuart y Marinez de Irujo, Duke of Alba Social Purpose – BritishSpanish Society, received by Michael Morley, Vice Chair
Business – Banco Sabadell, received by José Manuel Candela Barreiro, Regional Director
National Journalist – Miguel Ángel Idígoras Urrezola
International Journalist – Sarah Morris
Arts – The Madrid Players, received by John Ruescas
Peter Paul Hauschild award for overcoming adversity – Pilar Teresa Romero Fernandez
Gastronomy – Gioconda Scott

The Magna Carta Awards were created in 2025 to recognise the efforts of individuals and institutions that stand out in our society for their dedication to fostering relationships between the culture of Spain and that of the United Kingdom.