The London Library is pleased to announce Simon Godwin as its new Chair of Trustees. The news comes as the Library achieves membership growth for its fifth consecutive year, for the first time in over 30 years.

The appointment will be formally confirmed by members at the next Annual General Meeting in November 2023 to be held at the Library. Sir Howard Davies will step down at the end of his second four-year term as Chair.

Simon has been a Library member for 14 years and is a member of the Founders’ Circle of supporters. With an extensive career in financial services, Simon was most recently a founding Partner and Finance Director of Fundsmith, the asset management firm. He is currently working with a number of high growth companies including being Chair of GaitQ Limited, a medical devices spin-out from Oxford University.

This will be Simon’s third charity governance position; he is on the Board of Trustees at the Royal Institution and is the co-founder and trustee of Levelling Up:STEM, and he is also a supporter of the Hampstead and Park Theatres.

The role of Chair of the Trustees is to provide overall leadership to the Library in partnership with the Director, so as to enable Trustees and staff to work collectively for the good of the Library, for its long-term sustainability and towards the fulfilment of its charitable aims.

The Chair is chosen by the Trustees, gives their time freely and does not receive any remuneration during the year.

Incoming London Library Chair, Simon Godwin, commented, “I am honoured to become the new Chair of this vital and vibrant institution. I have been a huge fan for a long time and it is a place I can always go for inspiration. The Library has a unique place in our cultural landscape, providing a centre of creativity and ideas for over 180 years. It has flourished under Sir Howard Davies’ leadership and I am becoming part of a fantastic team. I look forward to helping build on this success and to continue to broaden its reach.”

London Library Chair, Sir Howard Davies commented, “Congratulations to Simon Godwin on his selection as the Library’s new Chair of Trustees. Simon has been a long-standing member and lover of the Library and I am confident that he will ensure the Library’s future success as one of the UK’s greatest literary institutions.”

London Library Director, Philip Marshall commented, “We are all looking forward to working with Simon as we begin to plan the next chapter in the Library’s story. We would like to thank Sir Howard Davies for his enormous contribution to the Library.”