The Benjamin Britten International Violin Competition came about as the result of a somewhat surprising collaboration between a unique institution, Goodenough College, a Ukrainian violinist and a British Major General.  Goodenough College, built as an ‘Oxbridge’ College in London, is home to international post-graduates studying in London.  Dima Tkachenko was already an established violinist in Ukraine and, while studying at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama under the late Professor Yfrah Neaman, was living at Goodenough College.  Tim Toyne Sewell, a former Commandant of The Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, was Director of Goodenough College at the time.  With the encouragement of Professor Yfrah Neaman, who had enormous experience in running competitions, the idea began to take form.

Initially the Competition was to be a modest affair but as funds began to accumulate, major orchestras were engaged and the Barbican selected to be the venue for the Finals.  Fundraising is never easy and many cynics said that it would be impossible to stage the event.  However, helpful  sponsors began to emerge and the Emir of Qatar, a generous benefactor to diverse organisations, offered substantial assistance.  Other major funding came from four individuals from The Netherlands, United States of America and Britain.  All have been generous enough to continue to support the Competition.

The first Jury was chaired by Ida Haendel, who had played for and knew Britten, as did several other members of the Jury.  It was probably the most distinguished group of Britten specialists congregated in one place for many years.

The final was won by Simone Lamsma from The Netherlands, who has gone on to win the 1st prize in the China International Violin Competition 2005 and the 2nd Prize in the Indianapolis Competition 2006 and to record a number of albums. Since then she has appeared with, amongst others, the Dutch Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Hague Residentie Orchestra, the London Soloists Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, the Orquesta Sinfonica Municipal de Caracas, Cape Philharmonic Orchestra, KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine and Slovak Sinfonietta of Zilina, and has worked with renowned conductors such as Sir Andrew Davis, Eri Klas, Carlos Riazuelo, Jac van Steen, Michel Tabachnik, Yan Pascal Tortelier, and Allin Vlasenko.

With that as the background, it was decided to run a second Competition in 2008. The Royal Academy of Music and The Guildhall School of Music and Drama agreed to become collaborators with Goodenough College, and the RPO asked to be the official orchestra, using their home at Cadogan Hall for the Finals. With such support fundraising was a little easier!