Lawrence chosen to succeed Keating at British Library

REBECCA LAWRENCE has been appointed as chief executive of the British Library succeeding Sir ROLY KEATING, who is stepping down after 12 years in post. She will take up the role in January 2025.

Lawrence has held several leadership roles across the public service and university sectors. From 2019 to 2023, she was chief executive of the Crown Prosecution Service, where she led the organisation through the pandemic, implementing large scale innovation to improve performance and support digital transformation.

Before that, she worked at the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, as director of strategy and resourcing from 2013 to 2016, and chief executive from 2016 to 2019, where she became a recognised leader of police technology and digital security innovation.

She forged her career as a senior civil servant at HM Treasury before moving to the Home Office and policing to lead on counter-terrorism strategy, resourcing and transformation.

Lawrence is also chair of governors at Middlesex University and a commissioner at the National Preparedness Commission.

Dame CAROL BLACK, chair of the British Library board, said: “I am delighted to welcome Rebecca Lawrence to the British Library. She brings skills and experience from more than 25 years at the forefront of reforming and delivering public services, with particular strengths in leadership and digital transformation. I am sure that, as Chief Executive, she will build on Sir Roly Keating’s legacy and enable the Library to complete its recovery from last year’s cyber-attack, and fulfil our mission of making our outstanding collections accessible to everyone.”

Lawrence said: “I am honoured to take up the role of chief executive of the British Library, an institution I have loved and admired from childhood and throughout my adult life. I share the library’s conviction that knowledge matters.

“The library is one of the world’s great concentrations of trusted and verified knowledge, and through innovation and technology I believe we can transform access to this tremendous resource, as well as growing and developing it for future generations.”

Culture Secretary LISA NANDY commented: “I would like to thank Sir Roly for his dedication to the institution and for guiding the British Library through challenging times.

“I am thrilled to congratulate Rebecca Lawrence on her appointment. I am confident that she will continue the excellent leadership we have seen at the British Library, taking forward the knowledge matters strategy and the ongoing work to rebuild and recover from the cyber-attack last year.”

Keating announced in April that he would be stepping down in early 2025. Following Lawrence’s appointment he is bringing forward his departure to the end of this year.

He said: “Along with her deep experience of public service leadership, Rebecca brings an infectious passion for the library and everything it stands for. After twelve fulfilling years here, I’m excited to be handing over to her for the next chapter in the story of this extraordinary institution.”