Appointment of new Chair of the British Library
The Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has appointed Sir Colin Lucas as the new Chair of the Board of the British Library. The term will be for a four-year period, from 1 September 2006 to 31 August 2010.
Sir Colin Lucas succeeds Lord Eatwell, who completes his term at the end of August.
Sir Colin recently stepped down as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Oxford to assume the role of Warden of Rhodes House and Chief Executive of the Rhodes Trust, the charitable organisation responsible for bringing some of the world's finest scholars to Oxford. During his seven years as Vice-Chancellor, Sir Colin led the modernisation of the University and saw it ranked fifth in the world, outranked only by the four leading US institutions. He began his academic career as a Lecturer at the University of Sheffield (1965-69) and the University of Manchester (1970-73). He returned to Oxford in 1973 as Fellow and Tutor in Modern History at Balliol College, before moving to the University of Chicago as Professor of History in 1990. At Chicago he served as Chairman of the Department of History and then Dean of the Division of the Social Sciences. In 1994 he became Master of Balliol College, Oxford, a position he held for six years. Sir Colin is a specialist in the history of 18th-century France, principally the French revolution. Sir Colin was appointed to the British Library Board against a 'senior humanities academic' role specification. He is a member of Library's Development Group. He graduated from Lincoln College, Oxford.
David Lammy, Culture Minister said:
"I am happy to welcome Sir Colin as the new chair of the British Library Board. He will bring his experience as a senior humanities academic to the post, and I am sure his time as a member of the Board, and of the Library's Development Group, will be invaluable. I am confident that Sir Colin will make an important contribution to shaping the Library as it faces the challenges posed by the digital age. The Library's contribution to the creative economy will become increasingly important, as it plays a leading role in the changing world of research information, whilst continuing in its important work of preserving the nation's written heritage."
Sir Colin said:
"I am delighted to have been asked to become Chairman of this wonderful Library. The British Library is one of the greatest in the world and an enormous asset to this nation. I am looking forward to carrying on the work that the Board has accomplished under my predecessor, Lord Eatwell, to enable the Library's leadership to meet the challenges of the 21 st Century".
Lynne Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library said:
"I'm delighted to welcome Sir Colin as our new Board Chairman and very much look forward to working with him. It is an exciting and demanding time for the Library as we seek to sustain and re-define what it means to be a world-leading national research library and cultural institution in the 21st Century, essential to UK research competitiveness and innovation, and accessible to all in a digital world."
Notes for Editors
1. The British Library is one of the greatest research libraries in the world; in terms of the breadth and depth of collection and the range of services it provides it is the greatest. As it pursues its mission to help people advance knowledge to enrich lives, it underpins the UK 's contribution to research, scholarship and business innovation. It is a world class cultural institution with a vital role as holder of the national memory; its renowned collection of over 150 million items, is housed on 360 miles of shelving at its award winning building at St Pancras and its northern site in Yorkshire. It is currently continuing to adapt its role in a complex and very fast-changing technical and publishing environment. The publication in July 2005 of the Library's strategy document Redefining the Library addresses the question "What steps must we take to ensure our vitality in the digital age?" and sets an exciting and challenging agenda for 2005-2008.
2. The British Library was looking for an active and involved Board Chair to work closely with the CEO, Lynne Brindley, and her Executive Team as they continue to re-shape the Library for the 21 st Century and seek to strengthen its contribution to the national research infrastructure and deepen engagement with the UK research community and the creative industries, and connect to the 'Google generation'.
3. The appointment of Sir Colin Lucas as Chair of the British Library Board has been made in accordance with the Office of the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice.
4. All public appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process.