MOLLY ROSENBERG and DALJIT NAGRA

Rosenberg will leave in March while Nagra will depart at the end of his four year term this week

Changing Faces

Royal Society of Literature chair and director depart amid governance review

Arts Professional
2 min read

The director and chair of the Royal Society of Literature (RSL) have both resigned.

Director MOLLY ROSENBERG announced she will step down at the end of March after eight years in post, while the chair DALJIT NAGRA, will depart the charity at the end of his four-year term this week.

At the charity’s AGM this week, Nagra is expected to reveal the findings of the charity’s first governance review conducted by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, which was commissioned last summer.

It follows a difficult period for RSL following criticism for its response to the attack on SALMAN RUSHDIE in August 2022, concern over censorship of an article in its magazine that was critical of Israel, and objections over the expansion of its fellowship.

In February 2024, the organisation confirmed that it had referred itself to the Charity Commission.

Rosenburg, who has previously worked at the Royal Opera House (now Royal Ballet and Opera), the Southbank Centre and as an independent researcher, told the Guardian she was leaving to “pursue new career opportunities”.

“I am hugely proud of all that I have achieved in my time at the RSL, working for and with brilliant writers across the fellowship,” said Rosenberg.

“I am especially proud of all that has been achieved through the efforts of Council over the years of my tenure, and am grateful for the dedication and imagination of trustees as well as the incredibly hard-working RSL executive team.”

Meanwhile, Nagra, a poet, presenter and professor at Brunel University London, said, “I am proud to have overseen the first-ever governance review in our 204-year history. This achievement will improve governance and increase transparency for the future. I look forward to watching the RSL continue to grow and prosper.’

RSL president BERNARDINE EVARISTO added, “I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to Molly and Daljit for their immense contribution to the society over many years. I wish them well with their new ventures.”