PHILIP MARSHALL APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF THE LONDON LIBRARY

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN, 5th July 2017

“We are pleased to announce that Philip Marshall has been appointed as the Library’s new Director and will take up the post in mid-September. His appointment follows Inez Lynn’s announcement last year that she would be retiring in September 2017 following a 30-year career at the Library, during which she has overseen the introduction of extensive online services, the development of the Library’s unique collection, and the award-winning transformation of many of its working spaces.

In embarking on the process of recruiting Inez’s successor, we decided to re-designate the role as the Director of the Library rather than the Librarian, as we focus on some of the issues – outlined in Inez’s recent letter to members – that we need to address to make the Library’s future more sustainable.  Members should rest assured that our commitment to maintaining the integrity of the collection, and the services to members, remains unchanged. The Library is fortunate to have great strength and depth of librarianship experience across its operations already so in recruiting the Director we looked for wide-ranging experience of developing membership, revenue and profile. Philip has experience in all of these areas and is ideally placed to help us strengthen the Library’s position as the world’s largest independent lending library.

Philip Marshall began his career as a solicitor, qualifying in 1996, and specialising in commercial law for the IT, media and publishing sectors. After completing an MBA at London Business School, he decided to leave the law for a career in the cultural sector, joining the British Museum in 2003. Over an 11 year period at the Museum, Philip’s roles included Head of Commercial and Director of International Engagement. He led the creation of a highly successful international programme of touring exhibitions and consultancy work, as well as overseeing substantial growth in the Museum’s membership programme and venue hire business. Philip left the Museum to become Director of Business Development at the Royal Albert Hall, where he was responsible for increasing income from both commercial and philanthropic sources. This included responsibility for the Hall’s catering and retail operations, commercial partnerships and development fundraising for the Hall’s £35m basement extension project. He joins us from his current position as Director of Development at Sadler’s Wells.

Philip is able to take over in September, immediately following Inez's departure, and will be spending time in the Library with Inez and her team over the summer to deepen his understanding of the Library and its ways.

We look forward to welcoming him on board.”