Dr Paul Thompson appointed chair of The British Council

Dr Paul Thompson has been appointed as the new chair of The British Council, with effect from January 2024, succeeding Stevie Spring, who ended her term as chair in December 2022. Sarah Sands, who is currently acting chair, will return to her role as deputy chair in January 2024.

Thompson is a leading authority in educational and cultural institutions, whose leadership spans the Royal College of Art (RCA), Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York, and the UK’s Design Museum.

During his time at the RCA, he led a substantial curriculum reform and under his leadership, RCA created the world’s first STEAM higher education institution. He also created the annual £1m Sir Frank Bowling Scholarship Fund to support Black and Caribbean diaspora students. Thompson also oversaw the opening of a new £140m campus development designed by Herzog de Meuron and funded by a £54m government grant.

He is a trustee of the Victoria and Albert Museum; board member of Creative UK and chair of its Creative Education & Careers Working Group; chair of Chelsea Physic Garden; a former board member of Universities UK and chair of its Specialist Institutions Forum. An adjunct professor at the Institute for Global Health Innovation at Imperial College London, he also served on the Ashmolean Museum’s governing body at the University of Oxford from 2012 to 2018.

Thompson said: “Throughout my career I have worked closely with the British Council’s expert staff across Asia, the Gulf and North America. I have huge regard for the institution’s role in promoting UK ‘soft power’ and our world-class universities and am delighted to be joining Scott and the board of trustees.”

British Council chief executive Scott McDonald said: “Paul’s impressive track record leading world-renowned institutions, combined with his passion for arts and culture and education, will be of huge benefit to the British Council as we deliver on our mission of supporting peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. I look forward to welcoming Paul and working closely with him in the coming years. I am grateful to Sarah Sands and Stevie Spring for everything they have done in their time as acting chair and chair.”

James Cleverly, foreign secretary. said: “Paul brings extensive experience to the role of chair of the British Council, including from his time as vice-chancellor of the Royal College of Art. I am also grateful to Sarah Sands for her work and contribution to the British Council during her time as acting chair.”