Sir (Cyril) James Anderton CBE (born May 24 1932 is a British former police officer, who served as Chief Constable of Greater Manchester from 1975 to 1991.He was Chairman of the Governing Council from 1983 and served as Patron of the BCA from  1991 to 2002.
THE SIR JAMES ANDERTON CHALLENGE SHIELD was donated following the retirement of our Patron in 2002. The Governing Council decided that to encourage candidates over that barrier which exists between Grade 5 and Grade 6 they would award this challenge shield annually to the candidate who has been awarded the highest mark in their Grade 6 practical examination. The trophy was presented for the first time at the end of 2003.

DANIEL LEYVA - 2015
The Thirteenth recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Birmingham and was Daniel Leyva. Daniel successfully completed his Practical A6 in achieving 90. He is a student of Doreen Powell LBCA, a long time BCA Local Representative

RAY LEWIS - 2014
The Twelfth recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Malborough, Wiltshire and was Ray Lewis. Ray successfully completed his Practical A6 in achieving 90. He is a student of Marilyn Mason, a long time BCA Local Representative

IMOGEN MILLER – 2013
The Eleventh recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire and was Imogen Miller. Imogen successfully completed her Practical A6 in achieving 87. She is a student of Stella Hughes , a long time BCA Local Representative

DEAN EVANS – 2012
The Tenth recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Watford, and was Dean Evans. Dean successfully completed his Practical A6 in achieving 93 He is a student of Shona Holmes ABCA(TD) LBCA, a long time BCA Local Representative

CLEVE ZAMMIT – 2011
The Ninth recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Malta, and was Cleve Zammit. Cleve successfully completed his Practical A6 in achieving 90.5 He is a student of Martese Bussitil - Cassar.

ADAM SMITH - 2010
The Eighth recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Bournmouth, Dorset and was Adam Smith. Adam successfully completed his Practical A6 in April 2010 gaining Distinction (91marks).  He is a student of long time BCA Local Representative Christine Carrington

ZOE WEARDEN - 2009
The Seventh recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire and was Zoe Weardeon. Zoe successfully completed her Practical A6. She is a student of Michelle Langman, Bmus(hons), LVCM (TD).

ARCHIE MAIN - 2008
The Six recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Grangemouth, Scotland and was Archie Main. Archie successfully completed both his Practical  A6 examination in 2008 with Distinction. As in 2007, he is also a student of BCA Vice Principal and Examiner Graham Laurie ABCA(TD), LBCA. 

GUY WILEY - 2007
The fifth recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Glasgow, Scotland and was Guy Wiley. Guy successfully completed both his Practical A6 and Theory T6 examinations in 2007. He is a student of BCA Vice Principal and Examiner Graham Laurie ABCA(TD), LBCA.

MARIEL AGIUS - 2006
The fourth recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Malta and was a young lady, Mariel Agius. Mariel obtained 92 marks in her A6 examination in April of 2006 and is a student of Antoinette Borg, ABCA(TD), LBCA. Antoinette was a former full time student of the BCA in London in the 1950’s. Mariel had previously successfully completed her Grade 6 theory examination in November 2005 obtaining 94 marks.

ANDREW HESSLEWOOD - 2005
The third recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence came from Yorkshire and was a young man, Andrew Hesslewood. Andrew obtaining 84 mark in his A6 examination, is a student of Raymond Jones ABCA(TD), LBCA , a former examiner for the British College of Accordionists. Andrew also successfully completed his Grade 6 theory examination in 2005.

ZOE STODDART – 2004
The second recipient of this Musical Award of Excellence was Zoe Stoddart. Zoe was awarded 87 marks in June 2004 in her A6 practical examination. She also followed this up with attaining the same mark in her Grade 6 theory examination later in the year. She was also again a student of Shona Holmes ABCA(TD) LBCA.

JACOB HILTON - 2003
Jacob was the first recipient of the Musical Award of Excellence. He obtained 90.5 marks in his A6 practical in May 2003. Added to this later in the year he achieved Distinction also in his Grade 6 theory examination. A student of Shona Holmes ABCA(TD) LBCA, at then just 13 years of age a young accordion player with a great future.